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MANUAL OF 



CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES 



PROFESSOR GEORGE P. FISHER'S WORKS. 



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MANUAL OF 



CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES 



BY 



GEPRGE PARK FISHER, D.D., LL.D. 

TITUS STREET PROFESSOR OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY IN YALE UNIVERSITY 




NEW YORK 

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 

1888 



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Copyright, 1888, by 
CHARLES SCRIBNEE'S SONS 



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PEEFACE. 



The half-formed intention to write a short manual 
of Christian Evidences, which I had for some time en- 
tertained, took a definite form on account of requests 
coming to me from persons entitled to respect, some 
of whom were engaged in the practical work of teach- 
ing. It appeared to me that a brief book, confining 
itself to the Evidences of Eevealed Eeligion, and set- 
ting forth in a connected form the principal topics of 
definition and proof, would be useful to readers and 
to pupils who have not time for the study of more 
extended treatises.* 

Paley's Evidences, which was so long the standard 
text-book on the subj^t, notwithstanding the signal 
merits which characterize it, has one striking fault. 
To the internal evidence a very subordinate place is 
assigned. The argument for miracles is deprived of 

1 In " The Grounds of Theistic and Christian Belief " (Charles 
Scribner's Sons, 1883), I have handled the main topics of Natural 
Theology, and have presented more in detail the proofs of Revelation. 
In that work, controverted points are discussed more at length. 



VI PREFACE. 

the legitimate, if not indispensable, advantage which 
is gained by a preliminary view of the need and the 
intrinsic excellence of the Christian Revelation. More- 
over, the aspects of skepticism and disbelief have some- 
what changed since Paley's time. Books like Strauss's 
"Life of Jesus" had not then been written. Patristic 
study has also made advances. The proofs from this 
source require some revision. Besides, Palej^'s work 
is too long for the demands of those for whom the 

present manual is designed. 

G. P. F. 
New Haven, May 16, 1888. 



COKTEISTTS. 



CHAPTER L 

PAGE 

What is to be Proved and the Nature op the Evi- 
dence, 1 



CHAPTER n. 

What is Meant by Miracles ? The Posstbility op 
Them, and the Possibility of Proving Them, . 9 



CHAPTER III. 

How tete Antecedent Presumption against the Oc- 
currence OP Miracles is Set Aside, . . .21 



CHAPTER IV. 
Admitted Facts Respecting Christianity, . . 28 

CHAPTER V. 

Proof of the Supernatural Origin op Christian- 
ity FROM THE Portraiture op the Character 
of Jesus in the Evangelists, . . . .32 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VI, 

PAGE 

Proof op the Miracles from Peculiar Features 
OF THE Gospel Narratives, 37 

CHAPTER VII. 

Proof of the Resurrection of Jesus from State- 
ments BY THE Apostle Paul, . . . .41 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The Genuineness of the Gospels, . ... 47 

CHAPTER IX. 

Trustworthiness of the Testimony of the Apos- 
tles, 71 

CHAPTER X. 

The Proof of the Resurrection of Jesus from the 
Evangelists, 82 

CHAPTER XI. 

Alleged Errors of the Apostles in Matters of 
Opinion, 8G 

CHAPTER XII. 

Alleged Difficulties in the Connection of Christ- 
ianity WITH THE Old Testament Religion, . 91 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Proof of Christianity from Prophecy, . . .95 



CONTENTS. IX 

CHAPTER XIV. 

PAGE 

Argument for Christianity from the Conversion 
AND THE Career of the Apostle Paul, . . 99 

CHAPTER XV. 

Proof of the Divine Origin op Christianity from 
the Intrinsic Excellence of the Christian 
System, 103 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Proof Afforded by the Contrast of Christianity 
WITH other Religions and with Philosophical 
Systems, 107 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Corroborative Proof of the Truth of Christian- 
ity FROM its Utility, 114 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Corroborative Proof of Christianity from its 
Rapid Spread in the First Centuries, . .117 

Index, 121 



CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 



CHAPTEE I. 

WHAT IS TO BE PROVED AND THE NATUEE OF THE EVIDENCE. 

The design of this book is to prove that the nar- 
ratives of the life of Jesns which are contained in 
the Kew Testament are true, and that Christianity 
has a supernatural, divine orimn and sanc- 

The question. > r^ > . 

tion. Did Christ speak from himself, or 
was his doctrine " of God " in a sense not to be 
affirmed of any system of which man alone is the 
author ? ' Is Christianity, in distinction from other 
religions, stamped with an authoritative character, 
as being a revelation from God ? If the history of 
Jesus as it is recorded in the Gospels, and of the 
planting of the Church as it is described in the Acts 
and the Epistles, is worthy of belief, these ques- 
tions must have an affirmative answer. 

The subject of the present inquiry should be kept 
distinctly in view. The purpose is not to prove the 

* — "whether it be of God, or whether I speak from myself," John 
vii. 17 (Revised Version). 
1 



2 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

trutlis of natural religion. The existence of God and 

the fact of his government of tlie world are taken 

for granted. It is true that, through the 

What it is not . , i • i r^^ ■ . . i 

designed to imprcssion which (Jhristianity makes, one 

prove. I'll 

may have his doubts on these funda- 
mental points removed. Christianity, even prior 
to the examination of its external proofs, may 
awaken a more clear perception of the being of 
God, and a more firm and vivid conviction of the 
free and responsible nature of man, and of the 
reality of a future life. But great as the quicken- 
ing and enlightening influence of Revelation may 
be in this direction, it is the function of Natural 
Theology to set forth the grounds of theism and 
what reasons exist for believing man to be im- 
mortal. Nor is it our purpose to take up the ques- 
tion of the inspiration of the Scriptures — the ques- 
tion whether, and to what extent, the authors of 
the books of the Bible were aided by the Spirit of 
God in the composition of them. This is an im- 
portant topic of theology, but it is not involved in 
our present undertaking. ISTor, once more, is it 
necessary to inquire whether or not the Gospel 
narratives are free from discrepancies and like im- 
perfections, such as pertain in some degree to the 
most trustworthy historical writings. The sub- 
stantial verity of the New Testament histories is 
the only point that we are at present called upon 
to establish. We may illustrate these distinctions. 



WHAT IS TO BE PROVED. 3 

John Marshall wrote the Life of Washington. lie 
had personally known Washington and, besides, re- 
sorted to authentic documents and to other sources 
of information. Marshall was an intelligent and 
upright man. Hence the biography which he com- 
posed is substantially accurate. It is conceivable, 
however, that Washington should have himself 
read the proof-sheets, and (supposing his own mem- 
ory to be perfect) have removed all errors, even the 
most minute, or even that he should have dictated 
the entire biography, with the exception of the ac- 
count of his own death. But the author, whether 
he wrote with these special advantages or not, was 
so placed as to be qualified to produce a narrative 
which should be in all its material features correct. 
Meaning of I^ the Evideuces of Christianity are 
n€?s^"and'of iucludod the proofs of the genuineness 
••credibiuty." ^^^ ^^ ^j^^ Credibility of the New Testa- 
ment writings. A writing is genuine if it was writ- 
ten by the author to whom it is ascribed. But it is 
well to remark that a narrative may be credible^ or 
authentic^ even if the ordinary view taken of its 
authorship is mistaken. If Julius Caesar's Com- 
mentaries, in which he speaks of himself in the 
third person, were to be found to have been writ- 
ten, not by him, but by an intelligent and truth- 
ful Roman officer who was with him through the 
Gallic wars, or even by some competent person 
to whom Caesar had related the facts, that work, 



4 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

although not genuine^ would still be authentic. Re- 
specting the Kew Testament histories, the main 
point to be first established is that thej present fair- 
ly the testimony of the Apostles, the immediate com- 
panions of Jesus. The question of the authorship 
of these books is important, but that of their date 
and of other circumstances relating to their origin 
and early reception, are of more vital consequence. 
The proofs of the truth of the Gospel histories 
are of the same kind as those on which our be- 
lief in other historical works is founded. 
toricaievi- We rcquiro as the warrant for believing 

dence? , , , ^ in 

in such narratives tiiat they shall rest 
upon credible testimony of witnesses or well-in- 
formed contemporaries. A certain value belongs to 
tradition — a value varying with the degree of near- 
ness of the events, and in some measure with other 
circumstances. Moreover, a great many things niay 
serve to corroborate — or else to disprove — historical 
statements. Occurrences, if they are of a very im- 
portant character, produce effects upon society in a 
great many different ways. These effects remain as 
monuments of the events in which they had their 
origin. Thus, the great fact of the War of the 
American Revolution is attested by the existence 
of the Republic of the United States, and by the 
character of its institutions, not to dwell on minor 
consequences, such as the public observances which 
commemorate the birth of the nation. 



NATURE OF THE EVIDENCE. 5 

The ev^idences of Christianity, like historical 
proofs generally, are jprohoMe^ as distinguished 

from demonstratwe. In the case of de- 
probllbie evi- inonstrativo proof, the opposite of the 

thing asserted is not only false j it is in- 
coiiceivable. This is not true of anything depend- 
ing on probable or moral evidence. There are de- 
grees of probability. Thus we say of one thing 
that it is '^ slightly probable ;" of another, that it 
is " very probable ; " and of a third, that it is " ex- 
tremely," or " in the highest degree " probable. It 
should be observed, however, that in numberless 
cases where the evidence is of the kind termed 
" probable,'' we are absolutely free from doubt. 
We may never have seen London, but we have not 
a whit more doubt that London exists than we have 
that the sum of the three ano^les of a triano^le is 
equal to two right angles. We never saw E^apo- 
leon the First, but we are not less certain that liTa- 
poleon lived than we are that two parallel lines, 
however prolonged, will never meet. To entertain 
a doubt on the one proposition would be as deci- 
sive a proof of insanity as to entertain a doubt on 
the othei*. 

The proofs of Christianity are cumulative. This 
is a circumstance which inquirers and disputants 
The evidence ^rc vcry apt to overlook.^ In regard to 
cunauiative. jj]} ^|^q main propositious involved in the 
case, the evidence is made up of many particulars. 



6 VUIilSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

all together pointing to the same conclusion. Un- 
der this head there are two mistakes to be avoided. 
One consists in demanding a demonstration for 
each item in the evidence, where, in the nature of 
things, no demonstration is possible. The other 
mistake, which is hardly less grave, is in isolating 
each particular of proof, as if it stood by itself. It 
is the old error of assuming that because a single 
rod may perchance be broken, the w^hole bundle is 
equally fragile. 

The proofs of Christianity are either internal^ or 
external. The external evidence is the testimony, 
"External" si^ply considorcd, to the facts w^hich are 
naf""Ev?'" I'elated in the Gospels. The internal 
donee. evidcnco includes everything in the sys- 

tem of Christianity itself which is adapted to in- 
spire faith in its truth and divine origin. " Chris- 
tianity is founded upon certain great primary wants 
and affections of the human soul, which it meets, 
to which it corresponds, and of which it furnishes 
the proper objects and satisfactions. There is the 
feeling after a God ; there is the instinct of prayer ; 
there is conscience and the sense of sin ; there is 
tlie longing for and dim expectation of immortality. 
Christianity supplies the counterpart of these affec- 
tions and wants of the soul, and it is as supplying 
this counterpart that it recommends itself in the 
first instance to us ; it appeals to our belief upon 
the strength of its own characteristics, at the same 



NATURE OF TUE EVIDENCE. 7 

time that it comes before us as a subject of exter- 
nal evidence. The nature of Cliristianit3\ and its 
correspondence to our own nature, has a legitimate 
influence upon our minds, before anj other con- 
sideration ; it is one part of the whole Christian 
evidence, and a valid and necessary part, without 
which the other, or the historical proof, is reason- 
ably and logically deficient." ^ 

It will be generally acknowledged that for the due 

appreciation of the evidences of Kevelation, earnest 

attention and a candid temper are req- 

The affections .. *■ -^ 

as a source of uisitc. it must bc added that the alrec- 

proof. . /. -, . , . . 

tions form one element in determining 
tlie judgment. On other subjects it is true that 
the data for a judgment must be drawn in part 
from other sources than the understanding. It is 
plain that in deciding questions in the fine arts — 
such as the genuineness of a painting or the merit 
of a piece of music — a sympathetic tact, native or 
acquired, is demanded. The like is true respecting 
questions where the moral excellence, whether of 
teaching or of personal character, is involved. The 
evidence is made up in part of impressions, and 
these depend on the inward state of the person who 
is to pass judgment. " We cannot possibly enter 
deeply into chai'acter without affections ; we cannot 
estimate or comprehend truly, we cannot embrace 
keenly and with a living force, what is beautiful, 

» J. B, Mozley's Lectures and other Theological Papers, p. 3. 



8 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

profound, and touching in the mind and disposition 
of any person of extraordinary goodness, nnless 
there are affections in us which enable us to seize 
hold of their moral traits, and inspire us with a 
vivid admiration and appreciation of them."' In 
all such cases, when one is confronted with moral 
evidence, there is a probation of character. 

* Ibid. , page 8. 



CHAPTER II. 

WHAT IS MEANT BY MIRACLES? THE POSSIBILITY OF THEM, 
AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVING THEM. 

The most common objection botli to the genuine- 
ness and the credibility of the New Testament his- 
tories is from the acconnts of miracles, which they 
contain. It is expedient, at the outset, to consider 
what weight belongs to this objection, and also to de- 
termine what place should be assigned to miracles 
among the proofs of revelation. 

What is a miracle ? A miracle is an event which 
Definition of the foi'ccs of nature — including the nat- 
a miracle. ^j,^j po wcrs of man — cauuot of themsel ves 
produce, and which must, therefore, be referred to 
a supernatural agency. Or, in the briefer phrase of 
Pascal, a miracle is an event exceeding the natui-al 
power of the means employed. If the event is of 
such a character, or takes place under such circum- 
stances, as to exclude the supposition of a superhu- 
man created agent as its cause, then it must be in- 
ferred that God is its author. It should be added, to 
complete the idea of a miracle, that it is something 
manifest — something that can be known and appre- 



10 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

lieiided by men. There is a course of nature — a 
natural order — the same antecedents being followed 
by the same consequents. This order of succession 
we call the uniformity of nature. It enables us, on 
the ground of previous observation, to predict -what 
will occur. In an atmosphere of 32° Fahrenheit 
water will freeze. In a warmer atmosphere it will 
remain fluid. A body of less specific gravity than 
the air will rise ; a body of greater specific grav- 
ity than the air will fall. A deviation in any in- 
stance from this order of sequences is what is 
meant by a miracle. But to fill out the ordinary 
signification of the word, the fact must occur in con- 
nection with religious teaching, or as a verification 
of the claim of a religious teacher to a divine com- 
New Testa- missiou. lu tlio Xcw Testauicut, three 
ment terms, tcrms are used to denote miracles. They 
are called " wonders," primarily in reference to 
the astonishment which they produce ; " powers,'' 
as related to the divine energy to which they are 
due ; and " signs," or tokens of God's presence and 
of the sanction thus afforded to the teacher or to 
what is tauojht. ^ 

It is contended by some that a miracle is impos- 
sible ; by others that, even if it be not impossible, 
it can never be proved. 

1 For example: "Signs and wonders" (John iv. 48); "powers" 
(Matt. xi. 20, Revised Version, in the margin). The rendering of the 
original word (found in Matt. xi. 20, etc.) is usually "mighty works." 



POSSIBILITY OF MIRACLES. 11 

1. It is said that an event not produced by nat- 
ural laws would be an event without a cause. But 
what is natui'al law ? By natural law is 

Not an event . i i /» i • i* 

without a siniplv mcaut the method or the action or 

cause. \ r X 

natural forces. Laws are another name 
for the established sequences — that is, the custom- 
ary succession — of natural phenomena. When a 
iniracle occurs, a new cause intervenes — viz., a spe- 
cial exertion of divine power, the power of the 
Creator and Upholder of nature. There is not 
even a violation of natural laws, in the proper 
sense of the phrase ; for every statement of natural 
law, and every prediction of what is to occur un- 
der it, are made with the proviso, or on the tacit 
supposition, that there is to be no intervention of a 
supernatural agent. A miracle nowise contradicts 
the axiom that in nature the same causes, under the 
same circumstances, ai'e followed by the same ef- 
fects. In the case of a miracle, the effect is differ- 
ent because the causes are not the same. The va- 
riation in the effect is what must take place, sup- 
posing such an alteration of the antecedents. If a 
new cause comes in, it is irrational to look for the 
same effect as before. 

As we pass from one kingdom of nature to an- 
other, we find that higher forces control the action 
of lower, so that new effects are produced wdiich 
could not otherwise occur. Inorganic nature in 
this way is subject to vital forces. The force of 



12 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

gravitation, for example, gives way under tlie ac- 
tion of a superior agency of another kind. Out 
of the seed rises the stalk of the plant. 

Forces over- t /» i i i r • 

come by forces If we had uo knowledif-c of ors-anic nat- 

iu nature. " '-' 

ure, we might be led to deny the pos- 
sibility of such a fact as the movement upward 
of a growing tree, despite the force of gravita- 
tion. 

The human will affords the most striking illus- 
tration of the possibility of a miracle. The will, as 

related to material forces, is a distinct and 

The human 

will, super- hio-her power, and as thus related is super- 
natural, or ... . 

natural. It initiates movements in the 
realin of nature. It produces results — countless in 
number and variety — which would not have come 
into being independently of its action. When a boy 
throws a ball into the air, gravitation is overcome 
by forces set in motion by a human volition. Who- 
ever bakes a loaf of bread brings into being a thing 
which the bare forces of nature, not conti'olled and 
assisted by man's will, could not have produced. 
In this way human will-power creates all that goes 
under the comprehensive name of art. From the 
least motion of a finger, in obedience to volition, to 
the most complex contrivances of mechanical genins, 
from the buildino' of a wio'wam to the erection of a 
Gothic cathedral, from the management of a vil- 
lage-school to the leading of armies and the govern- 
ment of nations— in a word, wherever the effects of 



POSSIBILITY OF MIRACLMS. 13 

linman will appear, there are beheld phenomena 
whicli the laws of nature — apart from the guidance, 
combination, and control of them by man's will — 
could never have brought into being. A miracle, 
where there is an interposition of the divine will, is 
not anti-natural, but super-natural. 

2. But it is objected that the invariability of nat- 
ure — when the human will with its range of activ- 
The uniform- ^^^®^ ^^ included — is a truth which it is 
ity of nature. a"L)suj.(^ to Call in qucstiou. This objec- 
tion assumes that the uniformity of nature is in- 
tuitively know^n, is a necessary truth, and stands 
thus on a level ^vith mathematical axioms. No 
sound philosopher will make such an assertion. 
Our belief that the course of things is uniform is 
based on observation and experience, coupled with 
an instinctive confidence in the indications — indicia 
— of nature, like the trust which we put in the signs 
of thought when we are in communication with 
human beings. A child w^ho has once burned his 
finger in the flame, knows that if he makes a second 
experiment of the same soj-t, the same result w^ill 
occur. We naturally assume that nature is an or- 
derly system, that it is conformed to a plan, and is 
not made to deceive us. Our belief in the uni- 
formity of nature justifies a presumption that there 
will be (and has been) no departure from it. This 
presumption, however, may be overruled and set 
aside, wherever reasons exist which would make it 



14 CniilSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

wise in the Author and Iluler of Kature to hiter- 
vene. 

3. It is objected that a miracle would be a con- 
travention by God of tlie laws of nature which IJe 
Miracle and ^^^^ liimsclf established. Even were it 
natural law. g^^ |-]^q laws of iiaturc arc not moral laws. 
An interference with them would not involve in 
itself any moral wrong. The foregoing remarks 
show how one class of natural forces may counter- 
act and govern the action of another, or the results 
to be produced by that action. Moreover, Natural 
Theology teaches that natural laws do not exist for 
their own. sake. The end of material nature is not 
in itself. A "law" is merely a name for the way 
in which things ordinarily occur. On the supposi- 
tion that a higher good is to be secured by a devi- 
ation from the course of nature, there is no moral 
objection to such an act on the part of God. If this 
objection had any weight, it would tend to prove 
not the natural.) but only the moral impossibility' of 
miracles. But the objection is stripped of its plau- 
sibility the moment one admits that there is a moral 
government of the world as well as an administering 
of physical laws. IS^ature is not a thing b}^ itself. 
It is only one pi'ovince in the whole divine system. 
The motives that dictate the establishment and 
maintenance of the course of nature may require 
that it should not be absolutely without interrup- 
tion. 



JIIRACLES CAPABLE OF ritOOF. 15 

4. Hume made a celebrated arojnmeiit a2;ainst 
the possibility of proving miracles by testimony, 
Hume's ar^i- altliougli tlie samc argument had long be- 
ment. £^j.g j^ggj-^ stated and answered in one of 

South's sermons/ Our belief in the uniformity of 
nature, Hume said, rests on experience. Our belief 
in testimony lias the same foundation. But the ex- 
perience of the uniformity of nature is without any 
exception ; whereas, we have had experience of the 
error of human testimony. Hence he concluded 
that no amount of testimony could prove a mir- 
acle ; for, if we suppose the amount of evidence of 
this sort to be never so great, still the supposi- 
tion of its falsehood would imply at most nothing 
greater than a miracle, and so we should have a 
miracle to balance a miracle. 

Hume's argument involves several mistakes and 

fallacies. Our belief in testimony does not grow 

out of experience, althouo:li as the result 

ItsfaUacies. ^ ^ ° 

of experience it is regulated. TSor does 
our belief in the uniformity of nature spring exclu- 
sively or ultimately from this source. On Hume's 
philosophy no reason can be assigned for expecting 
the course of nature to remain unaltered. Why 
should the future be, and the past have been, con- 
formed to what we observe at present ? We grant, 
however, that there is a rational presumption in 
favor of the uniformity of nature, and against the 

» South's Sermon on The Certainty of our Saviour's Resurrection. 



16 CimiSTlAN EVIDENCES. 

occurrence of a miracle. The very word " nilracle," 
pointing to the wonder excited by such an event, 
implies a counter-expectation. But when llumc 
assumes that experience is uniform against the oc- 
currence of miracles, he begs the question. The 
evidence for the unbroken uniformity of nature, as 
J. S. Mill has correctly stated, is diminished in 
force by whatever weight belongs to the evidence 
that certain miracles have taken place. ^ Hume 
separates a miracle from every conceivable object. 
lie looks at it as a perfectly isolated occurrence — 
a bare marvel. Ilis fundamental error consists in 
arguing the question on the tacit assumption of 
atheism, lie ignores the existence of a cause ade- 
quate to work miracles, and, of course, the exist- 
ence of any motive or occasion for them to be 
wrought. If the righteous God, whose existence 
and attributes are verified in Katural Theolog}^, 
could be deemed as likely to subvert the laws which 
justify belief in human testimon^^, as — for example 
— to heal a man born blind, in order to furnish a 
sign and proof that salvation has been provided 
from spiritual darkness and sin, Hume's reasoning 
would be more plausible. In other words, he virt- 
ually takes it for granted that one miracle — a mir- 
acle for a purpose of deception — is as much to be 
expected as another miracle, wrought for a worthy 
and merciful end. All that Hume has made out, 

1 Mill's System of Logic, vol. ii., p. 185. 



MIRACLES CAPABLE OP PROOF. 17 

as Mill explains, is that no evidence can prove a 

miracle to an atheist, or to a deist who supposes 

himself able to prove that God would not 

J. S. Mill on . , £ , 1 xi • 1 i. 

Hume's argu- mtertere to produce the miraculous event 
^^^^' in question. Mill adds truly " that nat- 

ural religion is the necessary basis of revealed ; that 
the proofs of Christianity presuppose the being and 
moral attributes of God ; that it is the conformity 
of a reliirion to those attributes which determines 
whether credence ought be given to its external 
evidences." ^ 

Professor Huxley, in his comments on Hume, 
objects to Hume's definition of a miracle as a vio- 
„ , , lation of the laws of nature, " because all 

Huxley s po- ' 

Biiion. ^rg know of the order of nature is derived 

from an observation of the course of events of 
which the so-called miracle is a part." ^ He ad- 
mits that an event of this character is capable of 
being proved by testimony ; but he appears to think 
that, if thus established, it would be an occurrence 
under the laws of nature, and would be referable to 
natural causes. This explanation, liowever, in many 
conceivable cases, would be irrational. If a man is 
known to be dead and is awakened to life at the 
command of another, the effect could not be re- 
ferred to natural causes. If it could, a superhuman 
knowledge of natural causes would have to be as- 

1 Mill's System of Logic, vol. ii., p. 186. 

2 Huxley's Hume, p. lol. 
3 



IS CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

cribed to liim who gave the command, and this 
would involve miracle. The coincidence of the oc- 
Minicie currence with the word or act of a person 

piovos design, u pj.^^gg (^ggign in tlio marvcl, and makes 

it a miracle ; and if that person professes to report 
a message or revelation from heaven, the coinci- 
dence again of the miracle with tlie professed mes- 
sage of God proves design on the part of God to 
warrant and authorize the message." That is to 
saj, the occnrrence of the marvel at the moment 
when the man is bidden to arise cannot be a mere 
coincidence. 

5. The question is sometimes asked, Tlow can we 

be certain that an effect which exceeds the power of 

natural causes, does not sprins^ from the 

Can evil spir- '^ ^ - n 

its work mir- ao^encv 01 a superliuman evil bemgrs 

acles? Q J ^ I ^ ^ fe 

There are certain miracles, such, in par- 
ticular, as imply the exertion of creative power, 
W'hich it appears unreasonable to attribute to any 
created being. But, apart from this consideration, 
there may be collateral proof — moral evidence — 
that shows the miracle to be the work of no evil 
being, and of no other being than God. It is to 
such evidence that, according to the Gospel narra- 
tive, Jesus appeals in answer to the allegation that 
his miracles were wrought by the help of evil 
spirits.^ 

1 Matt. xii. 25, 26 ; Mark xiii. 23, M ; Luke xL 17, 18. 



FUNCTION OF MTIlACLES. 19 

What is tlie distinctive office and place of mir- 
acles among the evidences of Revelation ? In the 
first place, it is plain that Revelation, as distin- 
guished from the manifestation of God in 

Proof from tit 

miracles and tlic courso of nature and the ordinary do- 

from doctrine. -r» • t ... 

ings of Providence, is in its vei'v idea mi- 
raculous. It is a more direct disclosure of God tlian 
is elsewhere afforded. This fact of the presence and 
more immediate agency of God in connection with 
religious doctrine is signified to the senses by works 
of supernatural power. These w^orks corroborate 
the evidence furnished by the doctrine itself, and 
by all the proofs of a moral nature that attend the 
promulgation of it. Miracles are aids to faith. 
They come in with decisive effect to convince those 
who are impressed by the moral evidence that they 
are not deceived, and that God is in reality speak- 
ing through men. According to the New Testa- 
ment histories it was in this light that miracles 
were regarded by Jesus. Where there ^vas no spir- 
itual preparation, no dawning faith, he refused to 
perform miracles. He set the highest value npon 
the moral proofs.^ Yet he considered the miracles 
to be of use in proving himself to be the messenger 
of God and to have power committed to him to 
forgive sin.'^ 

1 John xiv. 11. 

2 Matt. ix. 6 ; Mark ii. 10 ; Luke ix. 24. 



20 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

Tlins it appears that while tlie doctrine proves 
the miracles the miracles prove the doctrine. They 
Mutual sup- ^'^I'e two mutually supporting species of 
t.ine'tJnd^ir- P^'^^^f. Tlicy are both parts of one mani- 
acies. festation of God, neither of which is to 

be relied -upon to the exclusion of the other, as if 
die other were of no value. 



CHAPTER m. 

HOW THE ANTECEDENT PRESUTMPTION AGAINST THE OCCUR- 
RENCE OF MIRACLES IS SET ASIDE. 

By a presumption is meant snch a previous like- 
lihood that a given statement is true or false as 

iustly predisposes one to believe or to re- 
Meaning of . . ^ T T ,. 
"prosump- lect it. On the p-round or some prin- 

tion." "^ . . °. . , , ^ 

ciple, or prior conviction, which is based 
on evidence, we bring to the consideration of a ques- 
tion a favorable or an adverse pre-judgment. This 
may have different degrees of strength, varying with 
the character of the evidence on which it rests. If 
we hear that one known to be a miser has made 
a large gift to the poor, or that one known to be 
a generous philanthropist has refused to relieve a 
worthy person who was in distress, there is a pre- 
sumption in each case that the report is false. What 
gives rise to the presumption against the truth of the 
proposition that a miracle has occurred is the known 
fact of the uniformitv of nature and the obvious 
benefit of such an arrangement. On the ground of 
this faith in an established course of nature, we feel 
justified in passing over, without credence, and even 



22 CHIUSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

without inqniiy, stories of iiiiracles whicli are met 
with in historians whose records of ordinary occur- 
rences we have no hesitation in believing. "VVe give 
credit to what Tacitns relates about the wars of 
Yespasian, but when he tells the story of the heal- 
ing of a blind man by that Emperor, we smile at 
the tale, or at most ivy to conjecture in what way 
the erroneous report had arisen. To set aside this 
presumption against the miraculous, it is requisite 
that we should discern the need of a Revelation and 
appreciate in some degree the intrinsic excellence 
of the Christian system. Then the way will be 
open to examine the evidence which shows that the 
miracles recorded in the ISTew Testament were actu- 
ally wrought. 

"I deem it mmecessary to prove," saj's Paley, 
"that mankind stood in need of a revelation, be- 
cause I have met with no serious person 

Antecedent i t t i t i r^^ 

probability of ^lio tliiulvS that, cven under the Chris- 

revelation. 

tian revelation, we have too much light, 
or any degree of persuasion which is superfluous." 
The anterior probability that a revelation will be 
given lies in the necessitous condition of man and 
the benevolent character of God. 

There is no interest of man so important as re- 
ligion. It is vitally connected with his obligations 
and his destiny. In relation to this subject there 
are four principal sources of anxiety and distress. 
The first is the vafrueness and uncertaintv of man's 

O 1/ 



THE NEED OF REVELATION. 23 

knowledge, under the light of nature, of God and 
divine things. The question is not what is theoret- 
ically possible to be ascertained on these 

The need of , , , ^ ^ 

revelation. tlicmes, or wliat the extent or the native 

Four points : 

1. The need power of rcasou is, but rather what man, 

of knowledge. ■'■ 

in his present condition and character, act- 
ually does discover or can be expected to discover. 
We find that there is neither absolute ignorance and 
a satisfied state of ignorance, nor is there such a 
vividness and certainty of conviction as give rest 
to the mind and furnish an adequate incentive to 
right conduct. Man "feels after God," gropes in 
the dark as for an object of which he knows some- 
thing, but which he cannot find and grasp. We 
perceive that men oscillate between gross super- 
stition and a dismal unbelief. On the question 
of the immortality of the soul there is a like uncer- 
tainty, a mixture of hope and doubt. This was 
the position of a man so virtuous and elevated as 
Socrates. 

There is, besides, a sense of unworthiness which 
haunts the mind and often becomes an oppressive 

2. Theguut burden. There is a sense of guilt which 

reveals itself in the rites of the religions of 
the heathen nations. It is the consciousness of be- 
ing unreconciled to the Power on whom we depend 
and to whom a more or less distinct feeling of re- 
sponsibility prevails among mankind. 

Moreover, there is a feeling of discontent and 



24 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

helplessness under the dominion which evil has ac- 
quired in the heart. There is a bondage of habit 
3 The bond- '^^'^i^cli oftcn gives risc to an ineffectual 
age of sin. striigglc and to a craving for supernatural 
help. A heathen poet expresses the sense of this 
shivery, when he says : " I see and approve what is 
good ; I do what is evil." 

" Video meliora proboque ; 
Deteriora sequor." — Horace. 

Even Byron speaks of 

" This nneradicable taint of sin, 
This boundless upas, this all-blasting tree — " 

In addition to these necessities of the soul, there 

is the need, nnder the sufferings of life, of sources 

of streno;th, such as the 1 iff lit of nature 

4. The burden rr i t^ t m 

of pain and docs not afford. Kclief under ainictions, 

Borrow. 

peace in sorrow, salvation from despond- 
ency, are wants which are deeply felt. 

We cannot dwell on these great facts respecting 
mankind. No one wdio interrogates his. own con- 
science, and looks abroad on the world and over the 
field of histor}^, can fail to be impressed by them. 

While there is a great need of man to be sup- 
plied, a need which experience proves that he 
Thebenevo- canuot himsclf supply through his own 
lenceofGod. unaided powers, there are, likewise, in- 
dications in nature of the benevolence of God. 



WHAT CHRISTIANITY DOIJS. 25 

This character is broiic^ht to liirht in tlie teach- 
iiiirs of Natural Theolosjy. Even heathen writers 
— for example, Phitarch — have written on the De- 
lay of God in punishing the wicked, and have in- 
ferred His- compassion and desire to save the un- 
worthy. 

The way in which Christianity meets the deep 
wants of human nature whicli have been briefly de- 
scribed, is one stronsi; proof of its divine 

Christianity ^ . 

meets the orio-m. It forms an important portion 

needs of man •„, , , ., n ^ ^ 

of the internal evidence of the trutii of 
the Gospel, and of its being a revelation from God. 
But in this place, where we are only considering 
whether there is a probability that miracles will 
occur — such a probability as sets aside the contrary 
presumption — we can only call attention to features 
of the Christian system w^hich everybody must ac- 
knowledge to exist. 

1. Christianity sets forth the main truths of nat- 
ural religion in a clear and vivid form. The being 
It sets forth ^^ God, his Hioral and providential gov- 
natSre-"^ emmeut, man's accountableness, the fut- 
hgion, ^^,Q yHq^ are taught, and are taught so 
impressively that, as a matter of fact, multitudes of 
men have been persuaded of their truth, and have 
been moved to cast aside heathen superstitions, as 
well as skepticism and disbelief. 

2. Christianity does not hide or extenuate the 
evil which has been depicted above. It brings out 



26 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

with emphasis the sin and guilt of men, and what- 
ever is distressing in their lot, including their mer- 
it recognizes tality. In short, Christianity recognizes 
the malady, ^ho full extent of the malady and pro- 
fesses to grapple with it. 

3. Christianity makes definite provisions to meet 
the great wants which have been specified, viz., the 
Remediespro- vagueucss of our knowledge of God, the 
'^^'^^^- stings of conscience, the need of fresh 

incentives, and of spiritual aid from without, for 
the conflict with evil habit within the soul, and to 
lighten the burdens of sorrow and affliction. 

]^ot only does Christianity undertake thus to 
bring men to a true knowledge of God and fellow- 
ship with Him, but history shows that, in innumer- 
able instances, this result has been effected. Strength 
to bear the heaviest troubles has been gained, to- 
gether with peace and the light of hope in the pres- 
ence of death. 

The moral precepts of Christianity are conformed 
to the dictates of conscience. These precepts, as 
The ethics of ^^^' ^^ ^^^^J I'^l^te to our relation s to one 
Christianity, auotlier, may be comprised under the 
heads of veracity, purity, kindness. Sincerity in 
speech and conduct, chastity in thought and be- 
havior, benevolence, sympathy, charitableness in 
judgment and action, are the leading injunctions of 
the Gospel. 

The history of Christianity proves that the prac- 



WHAT CimiSTIANITY DOES. 27 

tice of these virtues is facilitated, and the conquest 

over the opposite vices is achieved, by means of 

the faith and iiope of the Gospel. In other words, 

the religion of the Gospel, entering into 

Connection of ° . . i • r i 

fiiith and mor- the couvictious and experience of the 

als. . . ^ , 

soul, is a most effective instrument of 
moral refoi-m. The legitimate result of Chris- 
tianity, it is not too much to say, is " a new crea- 
tion" of spiritual and ethical character. 

These considerations are sufficient to neutralize 
the presumption against miracles in connection 
with Christianity and to place them on the same 
level, as regards proof, with matters of fact where 
no miracle is involved. For, if the miracles were 
subti'acted, its distinctive character as a direct ap- 
proach of God to man would be lost, an essential 
side of the evidence of its truth would vanish, and 
its practical efficacy would be to a great extent par- 
alyzed. In judging of Christianity, it is desirable 
to remember, as Paley observes, that " the question 
lies between this religion and none ; for, if the 
Christian religion be not credible, no one with 
whom we have to do will support the pretensions 
of any other" — certainly not the pretensions of any 
otlier to a supernatural origin and a miraculous at- 
testation. 



CHAPTEK IV. 

ADMITTED FACTS RESPECTING CHRISTIANITY. 

Before proceeding further, it is well to remind 
the reader how much there is in Christianity that 
is not a subject of dispute. Let us glance at some 
of the admitted facts. Christianity originated in 
the short ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. This 
ministry was preceded by the preaching of John 
the Baptist, to whose preaching and the effect of it 
the Jewish historian, Josephus, refers/ Jesus se- 
lected and trained a small company of 

Its origin in i. . i •, vi i . ^n r 

the life of je- disciplcs, wlio, like Imnselr, were oi a 
humble rank in life. He taught not 
longer than about three years, from place to place, 
in Palestine. He was condemned by the Jewish 
Sanhedrim, and was put to death under Pontius 
Pilate, the Roman Procurator in Judea. The re- 
ligion of the Jews, among whom he was born and 
fijrew up, was a pure form of monotheism. 

The Jewish . . 

religion. j^ it was involvcd an expectation of a 
universal divine kingdom, of which the " Messiah" 
was to be the head. Jesus professed to be the ex- 

' Antiq., xviii. v. 2. 



ADMITTED FACTS. 29 

pected Messiah, and on this account he was put to 
death. His teachings and his life had made a 
powerful impression. Soon after his death his 
TT- oil. ^A chosen followers testified that he had 

His allegert 

resurrection, j-isen, and manifested himself to them. 
This alleged .fact they proclaimed, and submitted 
to great sufferings, and some of them to a cruel 
death, on account of their faith and of the testi- 
mony which they gave respecting Jesus. A few 
rrv, .^„,r., years after the death of Jesus, Saul of 

The coiiver- J ' 

sionofPaui. Tarsus, who had been active in persecut- 
ing his followers, was converted to the Christian 
faith, and became an untiring and zealous preacher 
of it. In the face of persecution from Jews and 
lieatheu, and without the advantage of support from 
the learned, the rich, or any other of the influential 
Rapid spread classcs, tlio new rcligiou rapidly spread in 
of the Gospel. |.]^q ^^^jg'g ^f ^}^g Eoman Empire. The 

Roman historian, Tacitus, informs us that in the 
time of Nero, the Christians who were tortured 
and killed by that tyrant formed '^ a great multi- 
tude." ^ This was in 64 a.d. The younger Pliny, 
Propraetor in Pontus and Bithynia, under Trajan, re- 
ports to the Emperor, in 111 a.d., that the number 
of Christians in that I'egion was so large that the 
heathen altars had been well-nigh deserted, and 
there had been no market for the sale of animals 
for sacrifice.^ The Gospel continued to make 

> Annal, xv. 44. spHn.^ Ep. 97. 



30 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. ^ 

progress, in spite of legal measures of persecution 
and the violence of mobs, and notwithstanding that 
more than one able Emperor engaged with energy 
in systematic efforts to exterminate its disciples. At 
length the Emperor himself, Constantine, became 
a convert, and (a.d. 313) proclaimed toleration. 
The old heathen religion of the Grceco-Roman 
world disappeared. The new barbarian nations 
which subverted Rome embraced Christianity. It 
is the religion of the most powerful nations, whom 
it did so much to train and civilize. It is now pro- 
fessed by nearly a third of the world's population. 

Christians were united tos^ether from the beorin- 
ning in forms of organization. The Church grew 
The Church "P' ^ud, uudcr Varying forms of polity 
and Its rites, c^^^ modcs of worsliip, lias perpetuated 
itself until the present day. Certain rites, such as 
Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the observance of 
Sunday, have been continued since the days of the 
Apostles, l^umberless productions — theological, 
devotional, or otherwise practical — have emanated 
from Christian teachers, or from other Christian 
disciples in successive ages. 

It is allowed that the influence of Christianity 
has not been superflcial, but of a profound, trans- 
forming character upon the individual 
of Christian- and upou socicty. It has deeply affected 
art, literature, and laws, the sentiments 
and conduct of mankind. Whatever evil has been 



ADATITTED FACTS. 31 

done in the name of the Christian religion, is due, 
as is generally conceded, not to that religion itself, 
but to the perversion and cori-nption of it. With 
the possible exception of a few eccentric iudivid- 
nals, it is universally judged that the influence of 
Christianity upon human natui'e and upon civiliza- 
tion is altogether elevating and wholesome. 

These bare outlines may serve to remind the 
reader how grand a phenomenon Christianity is in 
the history of the world. The question which we 
have to consider is whether the Xew Testament 
histories ojive the true account of its ori- 
must be met. gjj^^ j^ ^yj]! ^jo^ do to dispose of this 

question by vague remarks on human credulity and 
the possibilities of self-deception and imposture. 
'* To put aside the question of its origin " — of the 
origin of the Christian religion — " by telling us that 
mankind are easily deceived, is much the same as it 
would be to put aside the question about the origin 
of the Gulf Stream by telling us that water is an 
element very easily moved in different directions." ^ 

J Hopkins's Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity. 



CHAPTER V. 

PROOF OF THE SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY FROM 
THE PORTRAITURE OF THE CHARACTER OF JESUS IN THE 
EVANGELISTS. 

The character of Jesus <is it is depicted in the 
Evangelists is one of unequalled excellence. This 
is universally admitted. It is not a character made 
up of negative virtues alone, where the sole merit 
Combination ^^ *^^® abscuce of culpablc traits. It has 
of virtues. positivc, strouglj marked features. It 
combines piety, an absorbing love and loyalty to 
God, with philanthropy — a love to men without any 
alloy of selfishness, and too strong to be conquered 
b}' their injustice and ingratitude. It unites thus, in 
perfect harmony, the qualities of the saint and of the 
philanthropist. It blends holiness with compassion 
and gentleness. There is no compromise with evil, 
no consent to the least wrong-doing, even in a friend 
or follower. But with this purity there is a deep 
well of tenderness, a spirit of forgiveness which 
never fails. With the active virtues, with an in- 
trepidity that quails before none, however high in 
station and public esteem, there are connected the 



THE CHARACTER OF JESUS. 33 

passive virtues of patience, forbearance, meekness. 
Tiie world beholds in Jesiis its ideal of goodness.' 

Now, there are conclusive reasons for affirming 
that this character is not the product of the imag- 
ination of the Evangelists. It is an 07'i(jinal charac- 
ter, and one which those who describe it 
ure of Jesus couM ncvor liave invented. In the first 

not contrived. , •iitt^* i« 

place, it stands out m bold relier and m 
obvious contrast with the imperfections of those to 
whom we owe the portrait of it. With no model 
in actual life to follow, how could the fishermen 
of Galilee put on the canvas this figure — the cen- 
tral figure in the world's history? In the second 
place, it is not a character which is formally delin- 
eated. It is not set forth in a string of epithets, 
or abstract statements, or by vague, indiscriminate 
laudation. The impression which we gain of the 
character of Jesus is from a large collection of in- 
cidents and of sayings recorded in the Gospels. 
Our idea of him is the eifect of a great variety of 

1 Speculative opinions not accordant with the faith of the Church 
have not availed to prevent candid minds from clearly discerning this 
fact. "It was reserved for Christianity to present to the world an 
ideal character, which through all the changes of eighteen centuries 
has inspired the hearts of men with an impassioned love, has shown 
itself capable of acting on all nations, ages, temperaments, and condi- 
tions, has been not only the highest pattern of virtue but the strong- 
est incentive to its practice, and has exercised so deep an influence 
that it may be truly said that the simple record of three short years 
of active life has done more to regenerate and soften mankind than 
all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moral- 
ists." — L3cky's History of European Morals, vol. ii., p. 9. 
3 



34: CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

facts. To the production of such an effect by such 
means, the writers, had they drawn upon their own 
imagination, or that of others, would have been 
manifestly incompetent. Finally, the character of 
Jesus, as portrayed in the Gospels, has an unmis- 
takable air of reality. 

We may go forward with safety a step farther. 

Jesus, as we become acquainted with him in the 

Gospel narratives, which are to this ex- 

Perfection o£ ^ r ./.. •,. it . -, 

the character tcut self-verifymo; was literallv a smless 

of Jesus. ./ OJ J 

person. We have here a character of 
immaculate purity. This, to be sure, is a point 
which cannot be demonstrated^ since no one can 
discern the motives of action ; but it can be estab- 
lished beyond reasonable doubt. In all that is re- 
corded of him, there is no evidence of moral fault. 
There is nothing that he did or said which can 
justly be made a ground of reproach. It is incred- 
ible that the Evangelists, even on the supposition 
of a plan on their part to make him out to be better 
than he was, could have selected their materials — 
putting in this, and leaving out that — in such a way 
as to accomplish the purpose. The task would have 
been too great for their powers. It would imply 
not only a perfect ideal in their minds, but, also, an 
impossible skill in realizing it in a narrative form. 
No self-re- Morcover, while Jesus was obviously holy 
proach. bcyoud all example, ^nd had the clearest, 

most penetrating discernn snt of moral evil, and 



THE STNLESSNESS OF JESUS. 35 

while he condemned even the least wrong in tlie 
inmost thons^hts and intents of the sonl, there is 
not a trace of self-reproach on his part. Had he 
anywhere, even in his prayers to God, implied that 
lie was guilty of fault, some record of his self- 
accusation would have been left. It would have 
found its way into the traditions concerning him. 
When his cause was prostrate, and nothing but an 
ignominious death awaited him, in the hours of 
anguish some expression implying penitence would 
have escaped him. Kot only is there no trace of 
such a feeling on his part, but it will scarcely be 
denied that he made on his followers, who were in- 
timately associated with him, the impression that 
he was absolutely free from moral fault. 

Those who are convinced that Jesus was without 
sin may find in the fact a cogent argument for the 
The ei-fec- supcmatural origin of Christianity. In 
tion of Jesus i\^q ^j-g^ placc, tlicrc is no reason to think 

a miraculous J- ^ 

^^''^- that any other faultless and perfect char- 

acter has ever existed among men. Jesus is thus 
an exception to a universal fact respecting the 
race. To account for this exception, to explain 
this one instance of spotless purity, it is reasonable 
to assume an extraordinary relation to God on his 
part — to assume something that is equivalent to a 
miracle. In the second place, his sinlessness gives 
credibility to his testimony respecting himself. 
That he claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah, 



36 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

is bejoiid all dispute. On this charge lie was cni- 

cified. It will not be questioned that the position 

which he claimed, and persisted in claim- 

The Pafcgnard . „ ; • i i i , i 

against self- Hig, was 01 au exccptional and exalted 

deception. i^it mi i • ii 

kind, it will not be questioned that he 
considered himself the spiritual guide and deliv- 
erer of mankind. To acquit him of an unheard- 
of arrogance and self-deception we must give credit 
to his judgment and testimony concerning him- 
self. If we discredit this judgment and testimony 
we must conclude that perfect moral purity, and 
humility withal, are consistent with a self-exaltation 
alike baseless and really without a parallel in the 
extent to which it was carried. We must ascribe 
to him an enormous self-delusion. We must con- 
clude of the only pure and perfect one that the 
lio;ht that was in him was '^ darkness." 



CHAPTER VI. 

PROOF O? THE MIRACLES FROM PECULIAR FEATURES OF THE 
GOSPEL NARRATIVES. 

Kg one doubts that tlie Gospels contain a great 
deal that is true about tlie life and teaching of 
Christ. These books are the almost exclusive 
source from which the world derives its knowledge 
of what he did and suffered and of what he said. 
Such writers as Strauss and Kenan, who disbelieve 
in the miracles, construct biographies of Jesus out 
of the materials furnished them in the Gospels. 

Now, before inquiring into the date and author- 
ship of these four histories, we can find in what 
all candid students must concede to be historically 
true in them, convincing proof that miracles were 
wrought by Jesus. 

1. On different occasions Jesus is said to have 
told those whom he miraculously healed 

The prohibi- , . ' ^ . ^ , , -, -^ 

tions to report not to make it pubnciy known. rie 
w^ished to avoid a public excitement hav- 
ing little or no kinship with moral and spiritual 

1 Matt. ix. 30, xii 16, xvii. 9; Mark iii. 13, v. 43 ; Luke v. 14, viii. 
56, etc. 



38 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

feeling. Sometimes he had to retire to solitary 
places to avoid the multitude, ^o one can reason- 
ably question that these injunctions not to repoi't 
miracles were uttered by him. There is no motive 
that could account for the invention of them, espe- 
cially since it is added that they were disregarded. 

2. Cautions, which are plainly authentic, against 
an excessive esteem of miracles, are said to have 
^,. , , been uttered by Jesus.^ ]^o one who 

Miracles not •/ 

overvalued, made up storics of miracles would con- 
nect with his accounts a disparagement of them, or 
anything that looked like it. The imaginative, 
wonder-loving spirit, which prompts to the invention 
of fictitious miracles, always magnifies their impor- 
tance. The disciples, when they rejoiced that tliey 
had been able to deliver demoniacs, were told not 
to rejoice that the spirits were subject to them, but 
rather to rejoice that they could look forward to an 
abode in heaven." 

3. There are sayings of Christ which are evidently 
genuine, but which ai'e inseparable from the mira- 
Teaching ^Ics witli wliicli they are connected in the 
HnL'S'tT''' record. Thus, John the Baptist, when he 
gether. ^^,^^ ^^^ prisou, scut two of liis disciplcs to 
Jesus to inquire if he were in truth the Messiah or 
only a forerunner.^ This inquiry implies a momen- 
tary doubt in the mind of John, owing, it is to be 

> John iv. 48, xiv. 11 ; Matt. xvi. 3 ; Luke x. 17. = Lu^q x. 20. 

3 Matt. xi. 4 ; Luke xvii. 22. 



INCIDENTAL PliOOF OF MIRACLES. 39 

presumed, to the fact that no grand demonstration 
of the power of Christ had been made, no visible 
establishment of a kingdom. Perhaps the gloom of 
a prison may have had its influence in exciting this 
transient doubt. But such a doubt in tlie mind of 
the prophet, of him whose testimony to Jesus was 
counted of so much vahie, no disciple of Jesus would 
liave wished to occur. No one would think of falsely 
attributing it to John. The messengers were directed 
to go back to John and to tell him what they had 
seen and heard : " The blind receive their sight, and 
the lame walk ; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf 
hear ; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the 
Gospel preached to them." This answer of Jesus is 
part and parcel of the incident. It is inseparable 
from the question. And the incident proves that 
Jesus was engaged in working the miracles of which 
mention is made. 

Among the controversies of Jesus with over-rigid 
observers of the sabbath, there is one in which he is 
said to have put the question : ''Which of you shall 
have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not 
straightway pull him out on the sabbath day ? " ^ 
These words are in a stj^le characteristic of Jesus. 
Few, if any, doubt that he uttered them. ITow, Luke 
says that the occasion of the question was a reproach 
from the Pharisees for healing a man of the dropsy. 
The words obviously imply that it was a case where 

* Luke xiv. 5. 



40 CimiSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

some one who was in extreme danger liad been res- 
cued. How can it be doubted that Jesus had really, 
as tlie Evangelist relates, liealed a man of a danger- 
ous disease on the sabbath day ? 

Other similar instances might be adduced. One 
wdio studies the Gospels will see that the teachings 
of Jesus presuppose the miracles which are recorded 
in conjunction with his reported words having refer- 
ence to them. 

The Evangelists ascribe to Jesus no miracles prior 
to his baptism. This is one striking difference be- 
No miracles twccn tlicm and the apocryphal Gospels. 
bapMsm?/ If the rccord of miracles by the Evangelists 
jei-us. |g ^^^ true, if they are creations of fancy 

or invention, wdiy do they not commence earlier ? 
Why are not miracles ascribed to Jesus before he 
reached the age of thirty ? Why is this long period 
left a blank ? 

Moreover, no miracles are attributed to John the 
Baptist, notwithstanding that so much value is at- 
tached in the Gospels to his testimonv to 

No miracles iti 

ascribed to Jesus. If there had been a disposition 

the Baptist. , , •*• 

to make np stories of miracles that did 
not occur, why is not John credited with w'orks of a 
like nature ? 



CHAPTEK Vn. 

PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FROM STATEMENTS 
BY THE APOSTLE PAUL. 

There are four Epistles which no competent scholar 
doubts that the Apostle Paul wrote. The most 
noted schools of modern skeptics have with one ac- 
cord accepted them as genuine. They are the two 
Epistles to the Corintliians, and the Epistles to the 
Komans and Galatians. In his first Epistle to the 
Corinthians, Paul refers to the proofs of the res- 
urrection of Jesus. In this important passage we 
are told what he had learned from the other 
Apostles on this subject. In the Epistle to the 
Galatians he speaks of his intercourse with them 
The acquaint- ^^^ different occasious. Three years after 
with the^other ^^^^ couversiou, lie had spent a fortnight 
Apostles. ^ji-i^ pg|.gj. ^t Jerusalem (Gal. i. 18). At 

that time he had met James, the Lord's brother. 
Later (a.d. 52), he met Peter, James, and John, and 
conferred with them on the Gospel (Gal. ii. 1-10). 
He had enjoyed ample opportunities to ascertain 
what the Apostles had to say about the resurrec- 
tion of Jesus ; that he would avail himself of these 



42 CHIilSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

oppoi'tiinities we might be certain beforehand ; bnt 

that lie did so, what he tells ns on the subject proves. 

Writinor to the Corinthians, he sets down 

What he had . ^ ' . 

learned from distmctly wliat lie had previously de- 

them. ^ . c^ . 

clared to them respecting the Saviour's 
reappearance from the dead/ On the third day 
after his burial, Jesus appeared to Peter. After- 
wards he appeared to the twelve ; then to above five 
hundred brethren assembled together ; then to 
James; then to all the Apostles. Last of all, he 
had manifested himself alive to Paul himself at 
tlie time of Iiis conversion ; for to this event he 
undoubtedly refers. Even without the records of 
the Evangelists, it is safe to conclude, from these 
statements in the Epistle to the Corinthians, that 
the Apostles, from the third day after the death of 
Jesus, testified, substantially as related by Paul, to 
his resurrection. We have, therefore, the testi- 
mony of the Apostles to this cardinal fact in the 
Gospel history, and that testimony is entitled to 
credit. 

It is said, by way of objection, that the alleged 
manifestation of Jesus to Paul was in a vision, and 

Paul saw ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^J ^^^^^ been unreal. But, 
Jesus. first, Paul distinguishes the first revelation 

of Jesus to him, when he saw Jesus, from subse- 
quent visions and revelations (2 Cor. xii. 1 ; 1 Cor. 
ii. 10). " Last of all^^ he says, enumerating the 

1 1 Cor. XV. 1-9. 



WITNESS OF PAUL TO THE RESURRECTION. 43 

appearances of the risen Jesus, " lie appeared to me 
also." Whether by " all " is here meant all inter- 
views with the risen Jesus, or all of the Apostles, 
the inference following from the statement is the 
same. Paul's sight of Jesus at his conversion was 
the last of the series of his bodily manifestations, 
as distinguished from apocalyptic visions. Secondly, 
even if there were any reason to regard these last as 
unreal, his first perception of Christ could not be 
accounted for in this way. We shall show hereafter 
that PauFs mind was not in such a state as to per- 
mit us to ascribe that first revelation to him to the 
effect of hallucination. We shall find him assur- 
ing us that he had not felt the least doubt as to 
the rectitude of the course that he was pursuing 
in his warfare on the disciples. He had not the 
slightest misgivings on the subject. The expres- 
sion: "It is liard for thee to kick against the 
pricks," is a proverb denoting the futility of the at- 
tempt to withstand the progress of Christ's cause. 
It has no reference to inward feelings of Paul, as 
if he were disturbed by doubt and a divided 
mind. He verily thought that he was doing God 
service. 

Whatever the nature of the alleged manifestation 
of Jesus to Paul was, there is no reason to inter- 
pret him as saying that the appearances of Jesus to 
the other Apostles were of the same kind as to him. 
If we turn to the Gospels, we find accounts of inter- 



44 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

views of tlie i-isen Jesus with liis followers, wliich, 
to sav the least, are the earliest and the only tradi- 
tions that were handed down in the earl}^ Church. 
This can be safelj affirmed before we examine the 
question of the authorship of the Gospels. There is 
certainly, even at this stage of our discussion, no 
reason to doubt that these accounts in the Gospels 
embody the statements which the Apostles made to 
their converts. At all events, Paul's letter to the 
Corinthians establishes the point that they testified 
to the interviews which lie there enumerates. 

Were the Apostles deceived ? Were these mani- 
festations to them (and to the five hundred) a delu- 
The haiinci- siou of tlicir own miuds ? Hallucination 
nation theory. ^^ ^ disorder of the senses, or of the 
brain, wliich leads one to see or to hear wdiat has 
no reality outside of the nervous organism. This 
explanation of the appearances of Jesus to the Dis- 
ciples after his death, is excluded for several rea- 
sons that are decisive. There is no probability that 
they were looking for any such reappearance of 
Christ. There is no reason to distrust, but good 
reasons for believing, the statements of the Evan- 
gelists that the disciples, although they did not 
disperse, or forsake Jerusalem, were affected with 
sorrow and fear. This would be natural on finding 
themselves bereaved of their Master, and their 
hopes connected with him crushed by an event so 
appalling as his crucifixion. There was, then, no 



WITN'ESS OF PAUL TO THE REHURREGTION. 45 

preparation of mind for sncli a delusion as the hal- 
lucination theory implies. Then, the fact that so 
many persons, in companies, on different occasions, 
were persuaded, without a shadow of douht, that 
Christ was with them, and that they saw him, ren- 
ders such an hypothesis the more improbable. 
When the authenticity of the Gospels shall have 
been established, the circumstances related by them 
— for example, the doubts of Thomas and the way 
they were overcome — will be seen absolutely to pre- 
clude the theory in question. But, besides these 
considerations, the idea of hallucination is shut out 
by one remarkable peculiarity of the alleged mani- 
festations of the risen Jesus. They took place, as 
Paul's testimony shows, at intervals, and in a defiiiite 
number. They began at a certain time — on the third 
daj" ; and they ended after a brief period. Had the 
followers of Jesus been in that state of mind out of 
which the illusions of hallucination might arise, and 
if this had been the source of what they thought to 
be actual reappearances of Jesus, these manifesta- 
tions would have been much more numerous. They 
would not have begun and ended at these definite 
points. They would not have suddenlj^ ceased. 
They would have continued and multiplied as time 
went on, and as the courage and enthusiasm of the 
flock increased. This would surely have been the 
case, according to the ordinary law of the working 
of this sort of mental delusion. 



46 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

The conclusion is justified that the testimony of 
the Apostles, to which they adhered at the cost of 
every earthly comfort and of life itself — for there 
is no doubt that they steadfastly endured these 
penalties — ought to be believed. 



CHAPTER Vm. 

THE GENUINENESS OF THE GOSPELS. 

The evidence of the genuineness of the Gospels 
is the same in kind as tiie evidence which satisfies 
Nature of the ^^^ ^^ ^^^® genuineness of the History of 
proofs. |.|jg Jews (ascribed to Josephus), of Livy's 

History of Rome, and of other writings, whether 
ancient or modern. Tlie early reception of writings 
as genuine by those who had the means of knowing, 
early traditions respecting them which are not jnstly 
liable to suspicion, references to them, or quotations 
from them, at a time when, if they were spurious, 
this fact could not have been concealed, internal 
marks in the works themselves indicative of their 
authorship or date of composition — these are among 
the proofs on which we rely in determining the 
question of the origin of literary works. 

In glancing at the evidence on this subject, in the 
present case, we will first take our stand in the clos- 
ing part of the second century. It is allowed on all 
hands that the four Gospels of the canon were at 
that time the sole and universally recognized author- 
ities concerning the life of Jesus, in all the churches 



48 CIIJilSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

ill the different regions of tlie Ttoman Empire. 
From this starting-point we will travel backward to 
the immediate neighborhood of the Apostolic age. 

One of the most famous and influential men in 
the Church in the last quarter of the second century 
was Iren?eus, who became bishop of Lv- 
ons, in Gaul, a.d. 1 < 7. -Not far from a.d. 
180 he wrote an elaborate work against the heresies 
which had sprung up in that century. In the 
course of this work he has occasion to speak of the 
Four Gospels as received by all the churches, and 
received exclusively. Fie does not speak of this 
fact as anything new, or as if he had ever heard of 
anything different, or as if there could be any rea- 
sonable doubt that this exclusive rank belonged to 
the Four. According to Irenseus, one might as 
well think of more or less than four quarters of the 
earth, of more or less than the four winds. lie 
tells us, moreover, in detail,* that Matthew pub- 
lished "a written Gospel among the Hebrews in 
their own language," that after the death of Peter 
and Paul, " Mark, Peter's disciple and interpreter, 
did himself also publish unto us in writing the 
things which were preached by Peter "; that " Luke, 
too, the attendant of Paul, set dowm in a book the 
Gospel preached by him " ; that " afterwards John, 
the disciple of the Lord, who also leaned on his 
breast — lie again put forth his Gospel while he abode 

1 Adv. Haer., III., i., 1. 



THE GENUINENESS OF THE GOSPELS. 49 

in Epliesus in Asia." Elsewliere,' Irengens informs 
us that John lived to an advanced age, and did not 
die nntil after the accession of Trajan (a.d. 98). 

Of the integrity of Irenaeus there is no question. 

"We have only to ascertain what means he had of 

acquaintins: himself with the past. lie 

testimony of \vas Dom HI Asia Mmor, and spent the 

Irenaeus. . , 

early part of his life in the East. He 
well remembered Polycarp, the martyr, Bishop of 
Smyrna, who was an acquaintance and disciple of the 
Apostle John himself." Polycarp w^as put to death 
A.D. 155. IIow long it was before his death that 
Irenaeus had intercourse with him we are not told, 
but it was when Irenaeus himself was young. lie 
was probably born between a.d. 120 and a.d. 130. 
Besides the memorable fact of his acquaintance 
with Polycarp, Irenaeus was familiar with many 
Christian disciples who were old when he was a 
youth. Pothinus, whose colleague he was for a 
while at Lyons, before he succeeded him as bishop, 
lived to the age of ninety years. lie died a.d. 1Y7. 
Irenaeus had conferred with ''elders" — that is, ven- 
erated leaders in the Church of an earlier time, who 
had been pupils of men whom the Apostles had in- 
structed, and some of whom had sat at the feet of 
the Apostles themselves.^ 

' Adv. Haer., TL, xxii., 5. 

2 Adv. Haer., III., iii., 4; Epist. ad Flor. 

3 Adv. Haer., H., xxii., 5 ; HI, i., 1 ; HI., iii., 4 ; V., xxx., 1 ; IV., 
xxxii., 1 ; cf. Eusebius, Hist. Eccl., III., 23; IV., 14; V., 8. 

4 



50 . CUIilSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

A like testimony to the universal exclusive re- 
ception of the Four Gospels, as the authorities 
handed down in the churches, is given by other 
distinguished church teachers, contemporaries of 
Irenseus. We hear substantially the same thing 
Clement, from Clement, a renowned theological 
ertuiiian. tcaclicr at Alexandria, and from Tertul- 
lian, who was a leading presbyter in Xorth Africa. 
Clement was born not later than a.d. 160. Heferring 
to a statement in an apocryphal Gospel, he remarks 
that it is not found "in the four Gospels which have 
been handed down to us." ^ Clement w^as a man of 
learning who had, moreover, travelled extensively. 
The four Gospels, Tertullian asserts, have existed 
from " the very beginning," and " are coeval with 
the churches themselves." "^ His appeal is to the 
testimony of churches which the Apostles them- 
selves founded. 

We now go back to the generation prior to Ire- 
nseus. Here we have the testimony of Justin Mar- 
jnstinMar- ^J^"' J^^stiu was put to death for being 
^y''- a Christian, under Marcus Aurelius, prob- 

ably A.D. 166. At the time of the Jewish rebel- 
lion of Bar-cochba (a.d. 131:-136), he had already 
pursued extensive studies in various schools of phi- 
losophy, and had been converted to the Christian 
faith. He was born, it is believed, at the close of 
the first century. His birthplace was the Koman 

1 Strom., III., 553 (ed. Potter). 2 Adv. Marcion, IV., 5. 



THE GENUINEN'ESS OF THE GOSPELS. 51 

colon}^ of Flavia Is^eapolis, near the ancient Siclieni, 
in Samaria ; but liis family was Greek. lie so- 
journed for a time at Epliesus. He had a wide 
acquaintance witli Christians, and with their 
churches in many places. Three of his writings 
are extant — two " Apologies," or Defences of 
Christianity, and the Dialogue with Trypho, a 
Jew. The first of his Apologies was addressed 
to Antoninus Pius, about 148 ; the second fol- 
lowed not long after the first. The sources from 
which Justin draws his accounts of the life and 
teachings of Jesus he styles Memoirs, or Me- 
moirs of the Apostles. Writing for disbelievers 
outside of the Church, he has no occasion to refer 
to the authors of them by name. But he describes 
them as written by Apostles and their companions. 
This he does in connection with a passage that is 
found in Luke.^ This description answers to the 
Four, two of whom bear the names of Apostles, 
and the other two were ascribed to attendants of 
Apostles. In one place he refers to an incident re- 
specting Peter, which he professes to derive from 
" his Gospel." ^ The incident is found in Mark, 
which, as we know from other sources, was not un- 
f requently called Peter's Gospel. Another reading 
of the text in Justin, however, would make the ref- 
erence to be, as in other places, to the Memoirs of 
" the Apostles." He calls the Memoirs, in one 

»Dial. c. 103. 2 Dial., c. 108. 



52 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

place, " Gospels." ' Twice he refers to " the Gos- 
pel," ^ a title given in other authors to the Four 
collectively. Justin says that the Memoirs were in 
public use. They were read on Sunday in the re- 
ligious services of Christians, " in city and coun- 
try." ' What were these '^ Memoirs " ? They must 
have been the same as those described by Irenseus. 
If not, it must be assumed that after Irenseus had 
grown up to manhood, the authoritative Gospels in 
use in the Churches were superseded by others, or 
else that new Gospels, not previously acknowledged, 
took their place by the side of such as had pre- 
viously been accepted. But how could so impor- 
tant changes take place, and Irenseus know nothing 
of them ? 

But the references to the contents of the Me- 
moirs in Justin are very numerous. When they 
are brought together they make up a 
enceofthe pretty full accouut of the events in the 

quotations to , . „ f -r ^ c ^ ' • rrn 

theGospoisof lite 01 Jesus, and or his savings, ihey 

the Canon. ^ . *^ c \ 

correspond to the statements or the ca- 
nonical Evangelists. A large part of the matter 
accords with what we find in Matthew and Luke ; a 
small portion of it is found in Mai'k alone ; and 
there are not wanting striking correspondences to 
passages occurring exclusively in John. It is true 
that the quotations are not verbally accurate. For 
Justin's purpose there was no occasion that they 

1 Apol., I, c. G6. 2 Dial., cc. 10, 100. 3 Apol., I. 67. 



THE GENUINENESS OF THE GOSFELS. 53 

should be. But his quotations from tlie Gospels 
are not more free, as to their form, than are his ref- 
erences to Old Testament passages. He does not 
even think it necessary to cite a passage the second 
time in the same words. His verbal inaccuracy in 
quoting John (John iii. 3-5) was a natural one, and 
has been shown to be just the same as in a citation 
of the passage in so late a writer as the celebrated 
English divine, Jeremy Taylor.' Justin's references 
to events or sayings in the Gospel history, which 
have not substantial parallels in the Gospels of the 
Canon, are few and insignificant, and can be ac- 
counted for without supposing them to have been 
derived from other written sources. They embrace 
not more than two sayings of Jesus, both of which 
are found in other writers who yet own no author- 
itative Gospels bnt the four of the Canon. 

An additional proof that Justin's Gospels were 
the four of the Canon is the fact that Tatian, who 
Tatian'8 ^^^ ^ pnpil of Justin, comblued these 
harmony. ^^^^y ^^ ^ simple narrative, called Diates- 
seron, or the Gospel of the Four. It began with 
the opening passage of John's Gospel. 

' Justin's words are : ' ' For, indeed, Christ also said ' except ye be 
bom again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' And 
that it is impossible for those who are once born to enter into their 
mothers' womb is plain to all." Not alone by the correspondence of 
passages in Justin with particular verses in John, is his use of this 
Gospel made evident. His teaching in respect to the Logos or Word 
must have been derived from a source recognized as authoritative ; 
and no such source is known, unless it was the Fovuth Gospel. 



54 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

The Christian literature prior to the middle of 
the second century is scanty in amount, and frag- 
mentary. It consists for the most part 

Character of "^ . *■ 

the earliest of Icttcrs, Written for purposes of edifica- 

liLerature. , ^•'^ , ■'■ 

tion. Statements coincident with pas- 
sages in the Gospels occur, but they are usually inter- 
woven in the text, either without any express notice 
that they are quoted, or with an indefinite mention 
of them as being a part of authoritativ^e Christian 
teaching. It is not always possible to tell with cer- 
tainty whether such passages were taken from the 
oral tradition at the basis of the first three Gospels, 
or from these writings themselves. But we meet in 
the Apostolic Fathers, the writers of the sub-apos- 
tolic age, numerous echoes of the narratives wliich 
make up the contents of the four canonical Gospels. 
A few instances may be given of this 
character. Poly carp, in his Epistle to 
the Philippians,' has the words : " According as the 
Lord said, ' the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh 
is weak.' " The quotation corresponds exactly to 
Matt. vi. 13, and was probably derived from this 
Gospel. In the same chapter, Polycarp says : " For 
every one who shall not confess that Jesus Christ is 
come in the flesh, is antichrist." This statement was 
taken from 1 John iv. 2-4, unless indeed it was re- 
membered by Polycarp as having been nttered by 
liis apostolic teacher. AVithout doubt, the Gospel 

1 C. vii. 



THE GENUINENESS OF THE GOSPELS. 55 

of John and the first Epistle are from the same 
hand. The Epistle erroneously ascribed to Barna- 
^ .,, , bas was written not later than a.d. 120. It 

Epistle of 

Baruabas. contains soveral passages which it is most 
natural to refer to the Gospel of Matthew as their 
source. This appears almost certain respecting the 
passage, "He came not to call the righteous but 
sinners." ' In another place it is said : " Let us 
take heed lest so be that we be found, as it is writ- 
ten, * Many called, but few chosen.' "^ The words 
quoted are identical with Matt. xx. 16, or xxii. 14. 
The preface — "it is written" — was the common pre- 
fix to citations from sacred Scripture. If it have 
this meaning here, the Gospel is placed on a level 
with the books of the Old Testament. 

A very ancient document, called " The Teaching 

of the Twelve Apostles," was first published in 1883, 

a few years after its discovery in a library 

Teachin?of . r^ . , t • i i t i 

the XII. Apos- m (Joiistantinople. It is held by some 

ties. ^ *; 

scholars to be older than the Epistle of 
Barnabas (a.d. 120), and even to be as early as the 
last years of the first century. If not so old as Bar- 
nabas, we are forbidden by internal marks from 
placing it later than a.d. 140. It is a kind of Church 
manual of instruction, characterized by a strong 
infusion of Jewish Christian peculiarities. This 
book contains passages which imply a use of the 
Gospels of Matthew and of Luke. In one place ' it 

» C. V. 9 ; cf. Matt. ix. 13. 2 C. iv. 9. ^ C. xv. 



56 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

says: "But your prayers and your alms and all 
your deeds so do ye, as ye have it in the Gospel of 
our Lord." The same word — the Greek for " Gos- 
pel " — occurs in three other places in the book. It 
is probable that the term denotes a written record. 
It is the name given in Origen and other early writ- 
ers to the Four Gospels, taken collectively, or re- 
garded as one body. As used in the Teaching, it 
may have the same meaning ; or it may possibly 
designate a combination, or harmony, of Matthew 
and Luke, which was in the author's hands. The 
writings which are thus tacitly recognized in the 
Teaching must have been received as authorities in 
the churches for which it was written, and in which 
it was used. Besides the distinct traces of the use 
of these Gospels, the three Eucharistic prayers ^ con- 
tain words and phrases peculiar to John's Gospel. 
From this source it is natural to conchide that they 
were drawn. 

The antiquity of the Gospels is proved by the 
ancient versions that were made. The Peshito, 
The ancient the Bible of the Syrian churches, origina- 
versions. ^^^^ ^^^ ^|j pj-QJ^ahiJity witliiu the liuilts of 

the second century. Its origin is placed by the most 
competent scholars in the first half of that century. 
The Old Latin version was in current use when Ter- 
tullian wrote. It must have been made earlier than 
A.D. 170 ; how much earlier we cannot determine. 

1 Cc. ix. and x. 



THE GENUINENESS OF THE GOSPELS. 57 

From a contemporary of Justin, but older than 
he — Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis, in Phrjgia — we 
Testimony of li^ve definite accounts relative to the 
Papias. composition of the Gospels of Matthew 

and Mark. Papias was a contemporary of Poly- 
carp (who was born a. d. 69 and died, as we have 
said, in 155). Papias was diligent in gathering 
information from those w-lio had been conversant 
with the Apostles, and he appears to have con- 
ferred personally with two of the innnediate dis- 
ciples of Jesus, John, the Elder (as he is called), 
and Aristion. He was thought by Irenseus to have 
been acquainted with John, the Apostle, but this is 
doubted by the ancient church historian, Eusebius. 
Papias wrote a book entitled, " Exposition of the 
Oracles of the Lord." In this work, he says of 
John, the Elder, or Presbyter, in a passage quoted 
by Eusebius : 

''And the Elder said tliis : "Mark, having become the in- 
terpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately what lie remembered, 
not, however, recording in order what was either said or done 
by Christ. For neither did he hear the Lord nor follow him, 
but afterwards, as I have said, attended Peter," etc. 

" Such," adds Eusebius, ^' is the relation in Papias 
concerning Mark. But concerning Matthew this is 
said : ' So then Matthew wrote the oracles in the 
Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them 
as he was able.' " ^ 

1 Euseb., Hist. Eccl., iv., 30, 



58 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

The language of Papias implies that the necessity 
of translating the Hebrew or Aramaic original of 
Matthew no longer existed. That is to say, Mat- 
thew in the Greek was in his hands. Some schol- 
ars are of opinion that the word for " oracles " in 
the foregoing extracts from Papias, should be ren- 
dered " discourses " or " sayings," and that the work 
which Matthew wrote in Aramaic consisted mostly 
of discourses of Jesus. To these, it is supposed, the 
narrative parts of the book were added, in connec- 
tion with its translation into Greek. Whatever ex- 
pansion the wu'iting of Matthew may have received 
after it was first composed, the work was so far 
recognized as his production that it continued to 
bear his name. That it existed in its present form 
as early as the capture of Jerusalem by Titus (a. d. 
70) will be proved hereafter from internal evidence. 
If any portion of the book had another author than 
Matthew, that author was a contemporary disciple 
of sufiicient authority to secure an undisputed 
acceptance of what was thus connected with the 
Apostle's composition. This editor of Matthew 
would stand thus on a level with Mark and Luke. 

A striking proof of the genuineness of the canon- 
ical Gospels is the use made of them by heretical 
leaders, by whom they are dealt wutli as 

Marcion. . . . 

having authority in the churches. From 
these Gospels they endeavor to draw support for 
their eccentric opinions. In behalf of the third 



THE OEXUmENESS OF THE OOSFELS. 59 

Gospel there is evidence of a peculiar character 
from the treatment of it by Marcion, the founder 
of a sect bearino; liis name. Marcion was an active 
and formidable lieresiarch when Justin wrote his 
first Apology (a.d. 148). He w^as born in Pontus, 
in Asia Minor ; he knew Poljcarp ; and he was in 
Rome as early as about a.d. 140. Owing to his 
one-sided zeal for Paul's doctrine, as he incorrectly 
understood it, he refused to acknowledge the other 
Apostles as authorized guides, and made up a 
Canon, or collection of Scriptures, out of Paul's 
Epistles, and the Gospel of Luke — striking out 
of Luke, however, passages which recognized the 
authority of the Old Testament law. The Gospel 
used by Marcion is demonstrated, and is now gen- 
erally conceded, to have been a mutilated Luke. 
This mutilation of the third Gospel, in order to 
promote a sectarian purpose, and the whole pro- 
ceeding of Marcion in the matter, make it clear that 
Luke's Gospel, as we have it, was at the time gen- 
erally received in the churches. Marcion selected 
this Gospel for the reason that Luke was acknowl- 
edged to have been a disciple of Paul. It is a just 
inference that the canonical Gospel was an authori- 
tative document in the churches wlien a consider- 
able number of the younger contemporaries of the 
Apostles were still living. 

Within the first three Gospels themselves there 
are distinct evidences of their early date, and what- 



60 CHUISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

ever proves tlieir early date, proves likewise their 
gennineiiess ; since, in the lifetime of the Apostles, 
Internal proof ^'^i^t^ ^"^^^^'1' tlicir ejos, forged composl- 
diteofTheVst ^i^^^Sj ^^^^ anybody wished or dared to 
three Gospels, f j.^me tliom, coiild not havo socured accept- 
ance among those whom the Apostles guided and 
taught. The most convincing of these internal 
proofs is in the predictive passages respecting the 
destruction of Jerusalem and the Parousia, or Sec- 
ond Advent, of Christ. The first impression made 
by these passages in Matthew is that there was no 
time to intervene between the two events, and the 
impression made by the corresponding passages in 
Mark and in Luke is that the interval is to be 
brief. It is not requisite here to attempt to ex- 
plain the passages in question, or to account for the 
peculiarity to which we allude. Whatever expla- 
nation is adopted, it remains evident that, had the 
Gospels been written at a later day, the association 
of the destruction of Jerusalem with the last Judg- 
ment, in the manner and form in which thej^ ap- 
pear to be connected by the Evangelists, especially 
in Matthew, w^ould not exist. There would surely 
have been some explanation, some caution against 
BO natural an inference, some indication that the 
two events were not to stand in so close juxtaposi- 
tion. Whoever will candidly examine the passages 
referred to, will be persuaded that the first three 
Gospels were written before the generation that 



THE OEXUIXE2TESS OF THE GOSPELS. Gl 

listened to Jesus had passed off the stage. Mat- 
thew was composed before Jerusalem was taken by 
Titus. In any revision of this Gospel later than 
the catastrophe, these perplexing passages would 
not have been left unexplained. Mark must like- 
wise have preceded the capture of the city and the 
destruction of the temple ; and Luke must have 
been written, if not before, within a short time after 
these momentous occurrences. 

The first three Gospels — and the same will be 
found to be true of the fourth — abound in allusions 
Local refer- to places, local customs, characteristic 
euces. ideas and feelings, such as no counter- 

feiter, writing at a later day, could have wrought 
into the narratives. They are introduced without 
design. They are such as only contemporaries fa- 
miliar with Palestine and the ways of the people 
could liave been conversant with. Very rarely there 
may occur a reference of this sort which it is diffi- 
cult to verify ; but this is true of the best accredited 
ancient writers who have left us accounts of their 
own times. The atmosphere of the Gospels is that 
of Galilee and Judea in the days of the Apostles. 

The third Gospel and the book of Acts were as- 
^ , , ^ cribed without dispute, in the ancient 

Internal proof ^ ' 

of the genu- Chui'ch, to Lukc, a companiou of Paul 

ineness of :> ^ i 

Luke. — the same Luke who is referred to bv the 

c/ 

Apostle/ Both works are undeniably by the same 

^ Col. iv. 16 ; 3 Tim. iv. 11. 



62 aim 1ST r AN evidences. 

author. This is manifest from the style. Tlie book 
of Acts refers to " the former treatise," which was 
also addressed to the same Theophilus to whom the 
Acts is inscribed.' The author of the third Gospel 
professes to have derived his information from care- 
ful inquiries made of immediate witnesses and par- 
ticipants in the events related.^ He had learned 
the facts orally, or, it might be, in part from writ- 
ings. His avowed purpose was to present an accu- 
rate, consecutive narrative. There is no reason for 
questioning the fact that this statement was made 
by the author of the Gospel, or for doubting its 
truth. That the author was really at times 

Its author an . p -r» i i i t i 

attendant of a compauion of 1 aul IS established by a 

Paul. .-^ ... 

peculiar, convincing piece of evidence. 
The narrative in Acts moves on as we should expect 
of a historian who has gathered his information 
from others, until he arrives at Troas.' Then there 
is a sudden transition to the first person plural — 
"immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia." 
The use of the pronoun, implying the author's per- 
sonal association with Paul, goes on until the Apostle 
reaches Philippi. Then it is dropped during the rest 
of the Apostle's second missionary journey. But he 
joins Paul again, it would appear, at Philippi,^ and 
continues in his company all the way to Rome. The 
graphic description of the voyage and shipwreck 

1 Acts i. 1 ; Luke i. 4.. ^ L^ike i. 3. 

3 Acts xvi. 10. ^ Acts XX. 5. 



THE GENUINENESS OF THE GOSPELS. G3 

makes it almost impossible to doubt that • it was 
written b}^ one who saw what he relates. There is 
no reasonable explanation of this use of the pronoun 
" we " in these parts of the book except that the 
author of the Acts (and thus the author of the third 
Gospel) accompanied Paul for a time on his jour- 
ney. The style of the " we " passages is in com- 
plete accord with that of the rest of the book. This 
of itself excludes the idea that they are quoted from 
a document not written by the author. We cannot 
attribute to him a purpose to deceive the reader on 
this point. Had he been capable of such a fraudu- 
lent intent he would have taken pains to make his 
pretended relation to Paul more conspicuous. He 
would not have left it to be detected and inferred 
by none bnt observing readers. This is not at all the 
manner of the framers of pseudonymous writings. 

It has been alleged that the representation of the 
relation of Paul to the other leading Apostles, which 
Agreement of ^^ givcu iu the Acts, and of Paul's teach- 
statements^of i^ig to others, is uot cousisteut with what 
^*"^' we learn from his Epistles. This charge 

applies especially to Acts xv., and to the account 
there of the conference at Jerusalem. The allegation 
is that there was hostility to Paul and his doctrine, 
on the part of Peter. This objection would imply 
that the author of the Acts, whoever he may have 
been, was a later writer and a deliberate deceiver. 
It is overthrown completely by Paul's own un- 



64 CHRTSTTAN EVIDENCES. 

equivocal statement that tlie other Apostles — Peter, 
James, and John — "added nothing" to him; that 
is, had nothing to add, by way of amendment, to 
his doctrine — and by his distinct assertion that they 
gave to him " the light hand of fellowship." ' This 
disproves the notion that Peter was a judaizer. That 
there was a public conference is not excluded, but 
rather implied in Paul's language.^ That the results 
of it were substantially as are related in the Acts, 
admits of no reasonable doubt. James, and those 
of like mind with him, would not have been content 
with a less measure of accommodation to Jewish 
feeling, from the side of the Gentile converts. That 
they tuere content is established by Paul's testimony 
in the Galatians. 

The fourth Gospel is distinguished by marked 
characteristics from the other three. It has a more 

full account of the labors of Jesus in Judea. 
pel and the Accordiug to tlio f ourth Gospel his min- 

istry extended over more than three years ; 
whereas from the first three — looked at apart from 
the light thrown on them by the fourth — we should 
infer that it was limited to about one year. The 
style of the discourses in John differs from that of 
most of the sayings of Jesus recorded in the other 
Evangelists. But these differences do not amount 
to an inconsistency. As to the labors of Jesus in 
Judea, and the duration of his ministry, we find in 

1 Gal. ii. 6, 9. =» Gal. ii. 3. 



THE GENUINENESS OF THE GOSPELS. 65 

the other Gospels incidental corroboration of the 
statements in John/ We find in them, also, occa- 
sional utterances of Jesns in the same vein as that 
of the discourses in the fourth Gospel.^ The lan- 
guage ascribed to Jesus, as far as it is like that of 
the Evangelist himself, and of other persons who 
appear in his narrative, may be accounted for natu- 
rall}^ if we suppose that John had assimilated the 
thoughts of his master, and presents them, in part, 
in a condensed form and in language of his own. 
Peculiarities of These pcculiarities of the fourth Gospel 
pdprove'iS*^^^^*^ really an argument for its genuine- 
genuineness. jjggg^ for tlio}^ are sucli as uo forgcr, no 
one falsely assuming to be an Apostle, would have 
ventured to impart to his composition. He would 
rather have sought to imitate, as far as he could, 
the earlier, acknowledged, and well-known Gospels. 
Having these striking peculiarities, it would have 
been suspected and rejected on the ground of them, 
had not the churches and church teachers had good 
evidence that an Apostle wrote it. But we dis- 
cover that the fourth Gospel was received in the 
second century without question or con- 

TheAlogi. . •; . . , 

tradiction. llie only exception is the op- 
position to it of a handful of so-called "Alogi," at 
Thyatira, about a.d. 170, who disliked it primarily 
on doctrinal grounds. But even this handful of sec- 

' For example, in Matt, xxiii. 37. 
2 For example, Matt. xi. 27 (Luke x. 22). 
5 



C6 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

taries, by ascribing it to Cerinthiis, a contemporary 
of John, the Apostle, at Ephesiis, and an opponent, 
refuted themselves, since their assertion implied its 
early date, and since the acceptance by the church 
of Ephesus, and of tlie other churches in Asia Mi- 
nor and elsewhere, of a Gospel which was the woi'k 
of a notorious heretic, is incredible. To the testi- 
mony of Irengeus, and to the decisive character of 
it, in view of his relations to Polycarp and to others 
in that very region, we have already adverted/ 

The fourth Gospel was written by a Palestinian 
Jew. This is shown, among other proofs, by pecu- 
Locairef- Haritics of language. Moreover, the Gos- 
erences. p^^ ^g g^rewu witli references to local 

peculiarities which prove the author to have been 
well acquainted with the scenes of the narrative. 
This characteristic has been admitted by prominent 
critics of the skeptical schools. Renan says of the 
account of the healing of the nobleman's son in the 
fifth chapter, that it was written by one who had 
himself made the journey from Cana to Caper- 
naum. Irenseus could not have been deceived in 
his recollections of what he had heard from Poly- 
carp, a disciple of John, nor could he have been 
mistaken as to the person to whom Polycarp re- 
ferred, and reminiscences of whom he was fond of 
relating. In the circle in the midst of which Poly- 
carp was held in honor, and of which Irengeus, in 

' Page 48, seq. 



THE GENUIXENESS OF THE GOSPELS. 67 

his youth, was a member, there was no doubt or dis- 
pute respecting the autliorship and date of the 
fourth Gospel. 

The manner in which tlie authorship of the 
fourtli Gospel is disclosed in the work itself con- 
tains a strong proof of its genuineness, 
the fourth Tliis disclosuro of himself by the author 

Gospel — his . . . -, 

disclosure of stands lu couuectiou With an attestation 
appended to the book at the close. In 
the course of the narrativ^e, a disciple is referred 
to repeatedly, but with an avoidance of the mention 
of his name. There leaned on the bosom of Jesus 
at the Last Supper " one of his disciples whom 
Jesus loved." ^ There went with Peter to the tomb 
of Jesus " the other disciple, whom Jesus loved." ' 
He is spoken of as " another disciple," and " that 
other disciple." It will not be doubted that he was 
the "one of the two " who with Andrew followed 
Jesus to his abode. ^ It is said that on the second 
day after the baptism of Jesus, he and Andrew 
were standing with John the Baptist, whose dis- 
ciples they were. They heard what John said of 
Jesus as he walked by, and followed him. Jesus 
turned, and asked them wiiat they were seeking. 
They inquired where his abode was. He invited 
them to come and see. It was four o'clock, we are 
told, when they joined him, and they spent with him 
the remainder of the afternoon. That this anony- 

ixiii. 23. 2 XX. 3. si. 39. 



08 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

mons disciple was John, or that he is the person 
designated in tliese expressions, is not questioned. 
The " otlier disciple " was not Peter, for Peter is 
mentioned as an associate. ISTo one has imagined it 
to he James, the brother of John, who died early in 
the Apostolic age. ' Of the three who are known 
to have been most intimate with Jesns, only John 
is left. Now this covert method of revealing the 
author could only spring from a certain delicacy of 
feeling on his part, which prevented him from giv- 
ing his own name, especially since he was led to 
speak of himself as standing in so tender a relation 
to Jesus. A forger, a writer pretending to be John, 
would never have resorted to this peculiar mode of 
indicating who he was, or professed to be. It is 
utterly contrary to the style characteristic of spuri- 
ous writings. 

At the end of the Gospel there is an attestation 

which has been connected with it, in all probability, 

since its first publication. It reads as fol- 

Testimony of ,. -,.., i«ii 

John's dis- lows : " Iliis IS the disciple which beareth 

ciples. , ■*■ 

witness of these things, and wrote tliese 
things ; and we know that his witness is true." ^ 
According to the ancient tradition, the Gospel was 
published by the disciples of John at Ephesus, after 
his death. This, then, is the indorsement which 
comes from those into whose custody it w^as given. 
If any should imagine that the Gospel was com- 

' Acts xii, 2. 2 John xxi. 24 (Revised Version). 



THE GENUrXE^ESS OF THE GOSPELS. 69 

posed b}^ these pupils of John, on the basis of what 
they had learned from him, the objections to this 
lijpothesis are conclusive. First, it is contrary to 
the certification just quoted. Secondly, it is con- 
futed by the manner in which the author modestly 
veils his own personality, instead of directly declar- 
ing himself. 

The style of the first of the Epistles ascribed to 
John makes it evident that it was written by the 
same author as the fom-th Gospel. In this Epistle 
we have an unequivocal declaration that the author 
of it was with Jesus and an eye-witness of what he 
did.^ 

That the author was personally conversant with 
Jesus is distinctly implied in his use of the first 
person plural of the pronoun : "^ " We beheld his 
glory," etc. He plainly asserts that he saw water 
and blood flowing from the side of Jesus as he hung 
on the cross.^ If it was not so, we are obliged to im- 
pute to the author, whoever he was, wilful deception. 

The fourth Gospel is a sort of autobiography, or 

personal confession of the faith of the writer in 

Jesus, and of how it grew up in his soul. 

"PpTsoTifil iri— 

timacyim- It is stccpcd in personal affection, and 
pervaded by the atmosphere of personal 
loyalty and devotion. All this involves the fact of 
personal intimacy and discipleship. 

It has been shown that the four Gospels were 

' 1 John i. 1. 2 John i. 14. ^ xix. 34. 



70 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

written by Apostles and well-informed contempo- 
raries. Even if their antliorsliip and date could not 
be definitely ascertained, there is ffood 

Only one tra- ^ ? o 

dition. reason to believe that in their contents 

the story which the Apostles told of Jesns, his 
teaching and works, is fairly embodied. From Jus- 
tin Martyr and other writers of the second century 
it is made plain that this and no other tradition ex- 
isted on the subject. The opponents of Christianity 
knew of no other. One of the most acute of these 
was Celsus, who is supposed to have com- 
posed his attack about a.d. 180. From 
Origen's reply we can gather up a great portion of 
what Celsus wrote. Thus it is ascertained that the 
history of Jesus, which is the object of his advei'se 
criticism, corresponds with what is narrated in the 
Gospels. Celsus knew of no other conception of 
Christ, and of his words and deeds. 



CHAPTEE IX. 

TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES. 

We have before tis in the Gospels the testimony 
of the Apostles. We have the substance of what 
they declared to be the truth respecting the career 
of Jesus. The question now to be considered is 
whether the Apostles are entitled to credit. They 
are worthy of belief unless it can be shown either 

Theaiterna- *^^^^ ^^^^J intended to dcceive, or were 
*^^'®- themselves mistaken. Were they impos- 

tors ? Or, if not impostors, were they enthusiasts, 
incapable of discriminating between actual occur- 
rences and their own imaginings? Were they 
knaves, or were they simpletons ? 

The Apostles understood that their office was that 

of witnesses. They were selected by Jesus to be with 

him, to hear what he said and to see what 

Conscious of ■,-,.■■ x ^ i • • a 

being wit- he did. lu a passage, the authenticity or 

nesses. . 

which is not open to question,' Peter re- 
quires that one should be chosen to take the place 
of Judas, who had been with them and with Christ. 

' Acts i. 21-25. The prominence here given to Peter by the author, 
a Pauline Christian, prevents even skeptical critics from calling in 
question the truth of the historical statement. 



72 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

lie must be qualified to bear witness to the resur- 
rection of Jesus — a fact singled out as the most im- 
portant in the Apostles' testimonj^ 

The Apostles never ceased to feel that they were 
disciples. They stood in the position, not of origi- 
Aiways nators, but of learners. Something un- 

discipies. speakably precious had been communi- 
cated to them to be delivered to others. All their 
own hopes rested on the facts which they had noth- 
ing to do in originating. 

They tell their tale in the dispassionate tone that 

belongs to truthful witnesses. They are content 

to let the simple facts speak for them- 

Theirtone. •'■ ^ 

selves. For example, there are no in- 
vectives against Judas. They go no further than 
just to relate what he did. 

The candor of the Apostles, and of the Evangel- 
ists who were not of their number, is evident. A 

single instance will suffice as an example. 

Their candor, -p t i i -n i 

Luke relates how raui was set upon by a 
furious mob of Jews.^ They shouted that he had 
brought Greeks into the temple, and had defiled 
that "holy place." The historian takes pains to 
state immediately a fact — one that he might have 
suppressed — w^iich was of the nature of an excuse 
for their violence. They had seen, he tells us, one 
Trophimus, an Ephesian, with Paul, and had heard 
that he had taken him into the temple. 

' Acts xxi. S7 scq. 



CREDIBILITY OF THE APOSTLES. 73 

Tliey sliow their honesty in relating things dis- 
creditable to themselves. Peter told the story of 
his denials of the Master, for it is related 

Relate things ,-,ri n i,i ,^ -r-< i 

to their own bv Mark as well as by the other Ji,vano;ei- 

discredit, . "^ ^ „ . ^ 

ists. The reproofs of Jesns are faithfully 
set down. The Apostles speak of their ambition 
and contentions rivalry, and of the way in which 
they were rebuked by Christ.^ They relate how 
they failed to understand Jesus in cases where it 
seemed obtuse in them not to take in his mean- 
ing.^ What better proof can there be of candor ? 
They even tell how they all forsook him.^ It is evi- 
dent that the Apostles had no thought of themselves, 
so absorbing was the interest which they felt in the 
scenes which they had beheld, and in which they 
had taken part, and in him to whom they looked 
up as to their lord and master. All personal consid- 
erations were lost in the magnitude of the events 
which had passed before their eyes. 

The sincerity of the Apostles is proved by what 
they were willing to endure in consequence of the 
Their sincer- tcstimouy wliicli they gave. The Apostle 
thLir'^suffer^^ Paul spcalvS of the Apostles collectively 
^'^^^' as " the off-scouring of all things." " They 

had no selfish advantage to gain. On the contrary, 
the hatred of their friends, exile, personal indigni- 
ties hard to bear, even torture and death, were the 

1 Mark ix. 34; Luke ix. 46 ^ Matt. xv. 16, xvi. 6, 7, eta 

3 Matt. xxvi. 56 ; Mark xiv. 50. " 1 Cor. iv. 13. 



74 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

reward wliicli they had to expect for testifying to 
what tliey professed to have seen and heard. 

The truth of the Gospel narratives is shown by 
a thousand incidental (and, therefore, undesigned) 
Allusions to allusions to the topography, customs, and 
local customs, j^^^j^ners of the country— to peculiarities 
of time and place. These things, which prove their 
early date, confirm, also, their credibility. 

That the Gospel narratives spring out of inten- 
tional deceit will not be seriously alleged. To ac- 
The mythi- couut for them as far as they relate mir- 
cai theory. aclcs, the "mythical theory" was pro- 
posed by Strauss. This theory was that groups 
of early believers in Jesus, brooding over Old 
Testament predictions of the Messiah and accounts 
of miracles wrought by the prophets, imagined that 
Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, etc. These 
stories were an unconscious growth of fancy in se- 
cluded communities of Galilean followers of Jesus. 

This theory is untenable. Where were the com- 
munities of Christians who were so far removed 
ob-ections ^^om. the Oversight of the Apostles ? 
to it. How could that childlike, unreflecting 

mood of feeling, required for the unconscious ac- 
tion of mj^thopoeic fancy, arise or abide when 
the faith of Christian disciples was challenged at 
every turn, and when they were called upon to de- 
fend it against hostile criticism ? How could those 
who thought that the Messiah must work miracles 



CREDIBILITY OF THE APOSTLES. 75 

have been moved to believe in Jesns unless he actu- 
ally met this indispensable condition ? They felt 
that miracles there must be, we are told, and hence 
invented or dreamed out fictitious tales to fill the 
gap ; and yet the lack of them had not stood in the 
way of their faith in the messianic claim of Jecus ! 
The time between the death of Jesus and the com- 
position of the Gospels was too short to admit of 
the rise of a body of myths, a spontaneous growth 
in the circles of believers. Moreover, the Gospels 
came not from secluded disciples, such as are imag- 
ined to have given birth to mythical tales. They 
came from the Apostles and those under their instruc- 
tion and care. These considerations are conclusive ; 
but, apart from them , the miracles, as we have seen, 
are so inseparably connected with the teaching of 
Jesus that neither ingredient of the Gospel narra- 
tives can be discarded while the other is saved. 
We cannot reject the accounts of miracles without, 
also, disbelieving the record of sayings of Christ, 
which are obviously and undeniably authentic. 

An objection is made to the credibility of the 
Gospels on the ground of alleged discrepancies. 
Alleged dis- The first tiling to be said in answer to 
crepancies. ^j^^^ objoction is that wlictlier these be 

real or only apparent, they prove that there was no 
collusion, no conspiracy, between the Evangelists 
or the informants from whom they, or any of them, 
derived their matter. The second remark is that 



76 CHRTHTIAN EVIDENCES. 

discrepancies and inaccuracies belong to liiiman 
testimony generally. On the principle that a wit- 
ness or an author is to be discredited if lie fails of 
accuracy in all particulars, it would be impossible 
to believe anybody. Courts of law would have to 
be shut up, for the most veracious witnesses seldom 
agree in all the minutiae which enter into their testi- 
mony. All books of history would have to be cast 
aside, including narratives written from personal 
observation. Paley says justly: "I know not a 
more rash or unphilosophical conduct of the under- 
standing than to reject the substance of a story 
by reason of some diversity in the circumstances 
with w^hich it is related. The usual character of 
human testimony is substantial truth under circum- 
stantial variety. This is what the daily experience 
of courts of justice teaches. When accounts of a 
transaction come from the mouths of different wit- 
nesses, it is seldom that it is not possible to pick out 
apparent or real inconsistencies between them. 
These inconsistencies are studiously displayed by 
an adverse pleader, but often with little impression 
upon the minds of the judges." Where variations 
occur in testimony, or inaccui'acies in au}^ single wit- 
ness or reporter, the only question is wdiether they 
are of such a number and character as to desti'oy 
the general trustworthiness of the narrators, and to 
cast doubts on the substantial contents of their 
tale. In the third place, wdiatever may be thought 



CREDIBILITY OF THE APOSTLES. 77 

of minor points of variation from one another, tlie 
Gospels can be proved to contain no sucli instances 
of diversity in the narration as suffice to wealven 
their general credibilitj^ It must be remembered 
that these books are not formal histories. They 
are memoirs. There is no aim at completeness. 
Thej^ are not put together by expert writers. Cir- 
cmnstances, even very important facts, may be left 
out of one and recorded by another. In narratives 
of this character there is often an appearance of 
contradiction where some additional circumstance, 
not introduced, would at once dispel this appear- 
ance. 

It is sometimes made an objection to believing in 
the New Testament miracles that a great number 
of miraculous stories have been set afloat 
ecclesiastical wliicli are generally admitted to be fabu- 
lous. This objection overlooks the fact 
that the same thing is true of numberless narratives 
in which nothing miraculous is involved. Because 
there are so many instances of mistake or imposi- 
tion, in what we read or hear, w^e do not disbelieve 
in everything that is related. 

The objection has no force unless it can be shown 
that the accounts of miracles which we feel justified 
in at once rejecting, are as well attested as are the 
miracles recorded in the Gospels. But this cannot 
be shown. It must be remembered that the cir- 
cumstances under which testimony is given, as well 



78 cnnisTiAN evidences. 

as the temper and character of the witness, must be 
taken into view. The weiglit of proof is measured 
by the strength of botli of tliese factors combined. 

1. Tlie Gospel mii-acles are expressly to verify re- 
velation. It was, for the most part, only at marked 
epochs in the progress of divine ]-evelation that, ac- 
cording to the Scriptures, miracles were wrought. On 
the contrary, alleged miracles outside of the Script- 
ures are frequently naked marvels, deriving no sup- 
port from any high, distinctive purpose which they 
are to subserve. 

2. The Gospel miracles were not wrought in co- 
incidence with a prevailing system of belief, and 
for the furtherance of it. On the other hand, they 
were performed in behalf of teaching and of claims 
which were hostile to established prepossessions. 
The miracles of Jesus were a part of the means by 
which faith in him was created and built up. Mir- 
acles related by the ancient fathers, or in the medi- 
£eval legends, were in harmony w^itli religious beliefs 
already deeply rooted. They were directly in the 
line of popular expectations. This is a difference 
of very great importance. 

3. The disposition to deny the reality of the mir- 
acles wrought by Christ, or to explain them away, 
had to be confronted by the Apostolic witnesses. 
It has been said truly that " exorcism, which is the 
contemporary Jewish miracle referred to in the 
Gospels, is evidently, if it stands by itself, and is 



CREDIBILITY OF THE APOSTLES. 79 

not confirmed by other and more decided marks of 
divine power, a miracle of a most doubtful and am- 
bio:uou3 character." To whatever cause the disorder 
is referred, " a sudden, strong impression," rousing 
the energy of the patient, might, in less aggravated 
cases, effect a cure. But, even as to exorcism, the 
Jews recoo'nized the difference in the cures effected 
by Jesus from anything familiar in their experience, 
and were driven to ascribe them to aid afforded by 
Beelzebub. In general, the miracles of Jesus were 
such as the people considered in the highest degree 
unlikely to occur. The statement, which is often 
made, that there was no idea of natural law, and, 
therefore, that there was an uninquiring credulity, 
is contrary to the truth. The idea of the stability 
of nature is constantly implied in the Gospel narra- 
tives. Galilee was a populous district, studded with 
cities and villages. The minds of the people were 
sharpened by trade and commerce. They were not 
illiterate barbarians. They were the countrymen 
of Josephus. There were superstitions then, as in 
every age since. But the difference between a nat- 
ural event and a miracle was understood and felt. 
The common feeling is expressed in the words, 
" Since the world began was it not heard that any 
man opened the eyes of one that was born blind." ^ 
Nicodemus said : " No man can do these miracles 
that thou doest, except God be with him."* The 

1 John ix. 33. 2 John iii. 2. 



80 CimiSTIAN EVIDENCES. 

Pharisees and priests said : " Remember that that 
deceiver said, while he was yet ah've, ^ After three 
days, I will rise again.' " ' Such a claim, they as- 
sumed, was characteristic of a deceiver. It was in 
the midst of such a community, in the face of all 
this disbelief, that the Apostles told their story. 

4. They were subjected to the severe test of per- 
secution and suffering. Was it facts that they af- 
firmed ? This was the question. Had there been 
a doubt in their minds, they must have given way 
undei" the pressure, not only of authority — the au- 
thority of the religious rulers and guides of the peo- 
ple — but, also, of the perils and sufferings which 
their testimony brought upon them. 

5. The habit of mind of the Apostolic witnesses 
is essentially different from that of the narratives 
of heathen and ecclesiastical miracles, and of won- 
ders elsewhere reported. Two things vitiate most 
of the testimony to events of this sort. The first is 
the lack of a clear perception of facts as they actu- 
ally occur. The second is an appetite for the mar- 
vellous. This last feeling not only obscures the 
mental vision and is one cause of the fault just 
mentioned ; it also begets a credulity which is 
fatal to the exercise of judgment respecting the 
statements of others. Both these defects, which 
are closely connected together, may coexist with 
many good traits, including piety. Now, in the 

I Matt, xxvii. 63. 



CREDIBILITY OF THE APOSTLES. 81 

case of the Apostolic witnesses, what is remarkable 
is the sobriety of iiiind, which leaves the perceptions 
clear, and with it that conscientious regard for truth 
which insures strictly veracious testinion3\ 

The dignity and simplicity of the miracles re- 
corded in the New Testament are, as a rule, in 
strong contrast with those found in legendary tales. 
The miracles in the apocryphal Gospels are, as a 
class, grotesque, fantastic, or otherwise offensive. 
This is the prevailing character, for example, of 
the miracles described in the Gospel of the In- 
fanc3\ The same character, although not always 
in so excessive a degree, belongs to heathen and 
mediaeval legends. Exceptions occur, but they are 
exceptions — not numerons enough to efface the con- 
trast between pagan and ecclesiastical miracles in 
general, and the miracles ascribed to Jesus in the 
Evangelists. 

Finally, we revert to the character of Christ, 
which is too unique to be the product either of 
imagination or of conscious invention. When that 
character, in its immaculate purity, is contemplated, 
in connection with the declared purpose of his life 
and mission, '' to bear witness to the truth," and 
" to seek and to save " the lost, supernatural mani- 
festations of power appear to be a suitable accom- 
paniment of his work in the world. Why not the 
power, as well as the holiness and love of God ? 
The antecedent improbability of miracle vanishes. 
6 



CHAPTER X. 

THE PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FROM THE 

EVANGELISTS. 

l^ow that the trustworthiness of the Gospel nar- 
ratives has been established, v^^e can appeal to the 
testimony to the resurrection of Jesus, which they 
present. We can reinforce the argument founded 
on the affirmations of the Apostle Paul, which was 
presented in a former chapter ; * although Paul's 
testimony, even when considered by itself, warrants 
the conclusion that was drawn from it. 

To the transcendent importance of this fact of 
the resurrection of Jesus, the Apostles were fully 

Importance of ^^i^®- ^hcy Staked upou it their verac- 
thefact. ij-y^ jf Ijq i^^^ ^^^ risen, they were will- 
ing to be considered false witnesses.^ The Lord's 
resurrection was inseparably connected with the 
whole doctrine of redemption. It was involved in 
all their hopes of salvation from sin, and of future 
blessedness.^ They went out to proclaim " Jesus 
and the resurrection." "" The estimate which they 
put upon this central fact is adapted to inspire con- 

1 Ch. VII. 2 1 Cor. XV. 15. 3 1 Cor. xv. 14. " Acts xvii. la 



THE GOSPELS AXD THE RESURHECTION. 83 

fidence in the witness which they gave concerning 
it. They would take every precaution against mis- 
take respecting a truth on wliich they were con- 
scions that everything depended. 

That Jesus really died is a proposition wdiicli it 
is no longer requisite to defend. If it were possi- 
ble for him to survive the crucifixion, its 
prolonged torture, and the wound in the 
side, and if what appeared to be death could be 
supposed to have been only a swoon from which lie 
awoke, how could his life in a mortal body have 
been continued ? "Where did he go ? When did 
he reall}^ die? Such a continuation of his earthly 
life, if all other difficulties in the supposition were re- 
moved, could only have taken place through a consnm- 
mate effort of deceit at which he himself connived. 

It is impossible to account for the alleged inter- 
views of the Apostles with the risen Jesus, by the 
Nohauaciua- suppositiou that they were imaginary and 
tion. grew out of an idea that, being the Mes- 

siah, he must rise from the tomb and appear in 
bodily form. There was not time for such a pro- 
cess of reasoning to take place in the minds of the 
Disciples, and for a series of visions, having no basis 
in reality, to spring out of it. It was on the morn- 
ing of the third day that, as they affirmed, he ap- 
peared to them.' Nor can it be reasonably thought 
that real, miraculous visions of Jesus, parted from 

1 1 Cor. XV. 4 ; Mark xvi. 2, etc. 



84 CIIIilSTIAN EVIDEN(JES. 

the body and entered on the heavenly life, were 
granted to them. This explanation is precluded by 
the fact that it was in his bodily form that they be- 
held him. It is absolutely excluded by the circum- 
stances that attended his manifestations to them. 
The empty ^^^ touib, it must be remembered, was 
tomb. found empty, with the linen clothes left 

there, and the napkin folded and lying by itself.^ 
The body could not have been carried off by the 
enemies of Christ. They would have produced it 
to confute the assertion that he had risen. It 
could not have been carried away and hidden by 
his friends, without a fraudulent intent on their 
part, which none at the present day would impute 
to them. But the final, unanswerable proof of the 
The inter- resurrectiou is in the character of the in- 
views. terviews of Jesus with his followers. On 

the first Sunday there were five of these meetings 
with him.. They were incredulous, but he over- 
came their incredulity. He spoke to them and they 
with him. He walked with them. He partook of 
food with them. They touched him. One of them 
put his finger upon the print of the nails. ^ The 
reality of his bodily presence was attested by what 
Luke justly calls "infallible proofs,"^ appeals to 
the senses — appeals of such number and variety as 
rendered the idea of an illusion absurd. 

* John XX. 2 seq. ; Luke xxvi. 3, etc. "^ John xx. 25 seq. 

3 Acts i. 3. 



THE GOSPELS AND THE RESUERECTIOX. 85 

Add to these considerations a fact before ad- 
verted to. The manifestations of Jesus to the 
disciples were limited to a certain number of in- 
Tiie limit of stanccs. The principal of these Paul re- 
time. fgj,g ^Q^ j^ fg^^ others are related in the 

Gospels. All these interviews ceased after a lim- 
ited, not very long time. Had they been the prod- 
uct of imagination and enthusiasm, they would 
have continued, increasing constantly the emotional 
excitement out of which they sprung. The ablest 
representative of the skeptical schools of criticism 
confesses that no explanation can be given of the 
undoubting and immovable faith of the Apostles 
in the resurrection of Jesus.^ There is only one 
reasonable explanation — namely, that the fact oc- 
curred. 

» F. C. Baiir : History of the First Three Centuries, p. 39. He 
even calls the resurrection a " wunder " (miracle). 



CHAPTER XL 

ALLEGED ERRORS OF THE APOSTLES IN MATTERS OF OPINION. 

In answer to the objection that the Apostles held 
to erroneous opinions on certain subjects, it is to be 
Limitsoftheir s^icl, in the first place, that no authority 
knowledge. |g claimed for the Apostles, and no supe- 
riority of knowledge, except on matters involved in 
their mission, or in the work specially assigned to 
them by Jesus. They did not themselves pretend 
that their knowledge of astronomy, or of other sci- 
ences, was beyond that of their Jewish contempora- 
ries. In these particulars they may have been greatly 
excelled by many at that day. 

The objection has no force unless it refers to al- 
leged errors in religious opinion. But even on this 
subject the objection is irrelevant unless it can be 
shown that the errors in question would invalidate 
their testimony to the facts which the Gospels record. 
If the question before us concerned the nature and 
limits of the insjpiration of the Apostles, it would be 
necessary to consider it, but not where the inquiry 
is respecting the credibility of their testimony. 

It may be well, however, to refer to some points 



ALLEGED ERRORS OF THE APOSTLES. 87 

having a close relation to religion, and in regard to 

which it is said that the Apostles were in error. 

One of these is the expectation of the 

Expectation . p r^^ • t • 

of the second sDcedy sccond comin«: or Ciirist. Let it 

advent. r ./ o 

be observed that they expressly affirm 
that the time of his second coming is not revealed. 
"Of that day and hour knoweth no man, not even the 
angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father 
only." ^ After the resurrection of Christ, when they 
asked him if he would then " restore the kingdom 
to Israel," he gave this comprehensive answer : " It 
is not for you to know times or seasons which the 
Father hath set within his own authority." ^ The 
decision of all these questions was reserved by the 
Father, and was not disclosed to man. We read 
in John's Gospel that Jesus, speaking of John, said 
to Peter : " If I will that he tarry till I come, 
what is that to thee ? " ^ This occasioned a report 
"among the brethren" that John "should not die." 
But this misconstruction of what Jesus had said is 
corrected." " Suppose," says Paley, " that this re- 
port had come down to us among the prevailing 
opinions of the early Christians, and that the par- 
ticular circumstance from which the mistake sprang 
had been lost (which, humanly speaking, was most 
likely to have been the case), some at this day would 
have been ready to regard and quote the error as an 

1 Matt. xxiv. 36. 2 Acts i. 7 (Revised Version). 

3 John xxl 23. 4 Verse 23. 



88 CHRIS TTAN EVIDENCES. 

impeachment of the whole Christian system." "To 
those who tliink tliat the Scriptures lead ns to be- 
lieve that the early Christians, and even the Apos- 
tles, expected the approach of the day of judgment 
in their own times, the same reflection will occur as 
that which we have made with respect to the more 
partial, perhaps, and temporary, bat still no less an- 
cient error, concerniiig the duration of St. John's 
life. It was an error, it may be likewise said, which 
would effectually hinder those who entertained it 
from acting the part of impostors." Those who 
think that the Apostles expected that Christ was to 
come soon, should not be surprised to find traces of 
this personal expectation in their writings. Xor 
ought they to be surprised if tlie influence of this 
idea is found to tinge the abbreviated reports of the 
predictive utterances of Christ which are presented 
in the Gospels. 

Another difiicultv in the I^ew Testament narra- 
tives relates to what is said of demoniacs. It is 
represented that the souls of men were 
possessed by evil spirits, who inflicted on 
them physical distempers — epileps}^, lunacy, etc. 
The opinion has been adopted by not a few Chris- 
tian scholars that the language of Christ on this 
subject was uttered simply by way of accommoda- 
tion to a prevalent belief, and in order to effect 
the cure of those who were under the influence of 
it. In other words, he entered into the idea of the 



ALLEGED ERRORS OF THE APOSTLES. SO 

persons thus afflicted with disease — Immored the 
dehision, as it were — as a means of causing their 
recover}', and of assuring them of it. Their mis- 
taken beh'ef was harmless, from a reh'gious point 
of view, and Christ was under no obh'gation to dis- 
abuse them of it, any more than to instruct them 
on the causes of disease in general, and to clear 
their minds of other medical delusions. 

Christian scholars, to whom this solution is not 
satisfactory, are content to accept as real the fact 
of demoniacal possession at that epoch when the 
minds of men were oppressed and distracted by the 
inward conflict with evil. It was an extraordinary 
crisis in the spiritual life of individuals and of 
society. Too little is known of the supernatural 
world to warrant a dogmatic denial of the possibil- 
ity of such an influence exercised by evil spirits. 

On either of the views just stated, it remains 
true that the facts concerning the cure of the so- 
called demoniacs, of their actual deliv- 

Testimony to 

the facts not eraucc f rom agrsravated disorders, are au- 



weakened. 



*00 "''■'"'"-' ^ V*XK^V,XV^V^i.J, 



thenticated by the testimony. The ac- 
counts in the Gospels of the healing of persons of 
this class are among the most graphic passages in 
these writings. They contain internal evidence of 
their verity. Of such a character is the narrative of 
the madman of Gadara, who cut himself with stones, 
and made his abode among the tombs. Conversa- 
tions of Jesus, ill connection with miracles of this 



90 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

kind, conversations of nnqiiestionable authenticity, 
prove tlie reality of the principal facts with which 
they are associated. 

Difficulties are sometimes raised in reference to 

occasional interpretations of Old Testament pas- 

sas^es, which the Apostles introduce, or 

Interpretation o ' X ' 

and reasoning, ^q certain argumcuts which they employ. 
Such difficulties, supposing them to be well- 
founded, do not affect the value of their testi- 
mony to facts. Some would contend that these 
difficulties have no ground to rest upon. Others 
would allow with Paley that we must " distin- 
guish between their [the Apostles'] doctrines and . 
their arguments. Their doctrines came to them 
by revelation, properly so called ; yet in propound- 
ing these doctrines in their writings or discourses, 
they were wont to illustrate, support, and enforce 
them by such analogies, arguments, and considera- 
tions, as their own thoughts suggested." Paley 
quotes from Bishop Burnet this remark : " Wlien 
divine writers ai'gue npon any point, we are alwaj's 
bound to believe the conclusions their reasonings 
end in ; but we are not bound to be able to make 
out, or even to assent to, all the premises made use 
of by them, in their whole extent, unless it appears 
plainly that they affirm the premises as expressly 
as they do the conclusions proved by them.^ " 

J Paley's Evidences, P. III. ch. II. Burnet's Exposition of the 
Articles, Art. 6. 



CHAPTER Xn. 

ALLEGED DIFFICULTIES IN THE CONNECTION OF CHRISTIANITY 
WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT RELIGIOUS SYSTEM. 

Objections are frequently made to Christianity 
on the ground of difficulties connected with the 
Old Testament, and with references to the Old Tes- 
tament books in the J^ew Testament. 

That the religion of the Old Testament is rec- 
ognized in the 'New as from God, and as having a 
divine sanction, distinguisliing it from the religions 
Genetic reia- ^^ ^^^^ Gcntiles, is obvious. That Chris- 
tiaSit°y to^jJi" tiauity has a genetic connection with the 
daism. religion of the Jews, is a plain matter of 

history. And the contrast between the religion of 
the Jews and the religious systems of other nations, 
including those of the same stock — as the Babylo- 
nians — is an impressive proof that the sanction given 
to it by Jesus is well founded. The pure mono- 
theism, the character ascribed to God, tlie teaching 
as to his moral and providential government, the 
spirit of devotion and of worship inspired by this 
system of faith, bear witness to its unique, super- 
natural source. 



92 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

Jesns appealed to prophetical passages in tlie Old 

Testament, as pointing to the kingdom which he 

was to establish, and to the Messiah, its 

Recognition of,,-,^,. , ,, 

tho Old Testa- head, lie disavowed, moreover, tlie in- 
tention to cast discredit on the prior 
revelations of law and duty, made in times of old, 
to Moses and the prophets. All this a Christian 
accepts both on the authority of Jesus as a teacher, 
and on account of its inherent reasonableness. 

But neither Christ nor the Apostles took up ques- 
tions respecting the authorship and date of Old 
Testament writings — such questions as 
teaching of belono" to liistorical and scholarly inquiry. 

Jesus. r>^ ' r ^ . . 

(Jlirist refused to act as an umpire in a 
dispute about an inhei'itance, saying : " Who made 
me a judge or divider over you ? " ^ This shows 
how resolved he was to keep within the limits of 
his own distinctive calling, and not to step aside to 
perform offices, which, even if they were not unim- 
portant, did not pertain to it. We have a right as 
Christians to rest on the declarations of Christ on 
questions respecting which he has pronounced judg- 
ment — questions on which he professed to speak 
" as one having authority." But we go too far 
when we stake the truth of Christianity on the cor- 
rectness of opinions concerning which no verdict 
was intended to be pronounced by Christ or his 
Apostles. 

> Luke xii. 14. 



RELATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT TO THE OLD. 93 

But Christ did teach emphatically the gradual- 
ness of divine revelation, and the consequent im- 
perfection of religions knowledge, and of 

The gradual- ,. ^ ^ .. ^ ^ tit 

ncssof divine the knowicdge or dnt\^ under the old dis- 

revelation. . _^ "^ ii r • i 

pensation. iiiere was a Mosaic law re- 
specting divorce, wdiich fell short of the Christian 
ideal. It was given, Christ taught, on account of 
the hardness of heart of the people, who were pre- 
pared for nothing better.' He substituted for it 
another, more stringent enactment. John the Bap- 
tist, he said, was inferior to no prophet ; yet the least 
Christian disciple was greater than he — was pos- 
sessed of more light, and stood on a higher plane 
as regards the perception of God's plans and ways.'' 
The recollection of the gradualness of the revela- 
tion of God and of relis-ious truth sets aside at once 
numerous difficulties which have been alleged re- 
specting the teaching of the Old Testament Script- 
ures, as well as concerning the lives and the charac- 
ter of persons described and commended in them. 

In truth, the connection of the faith of Israel 
with Christianity most impressively indicates the 
„, , . divine orio^in of the reliction of Jesus. 

The plan of o O 

history. ^^ bcliold the loug courso of this his- 

torical movement — starting in the remote past, 
flowing onward, like a river, through all the cen- 
turies before Christ, until there it w^idens into a sea 
that spreads more and more, as the ages succeed 

1 Matt. xix. 8 : Mark x. 5. * Matt. xi. 1 L : Luke vii. 28. 



94 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

one another, over the surface of the globe. As the 
bh'th of Christ divides history into two parts, so his 
coming furnishes the clue to the understanding of 
it. His offices of love and merc}^ to the race unveil 
the purpose of God, the interpretation of his plan, 
as regards mankind, including Jew and Gentile, 
both before and since the Saviour of the wokld 
appeared. To each branch of the human race, to 
each of the nations of the earth, Providence assigned 
the place and the period of its existence, guiding 
and training all, to the end that they might seek 
after God, and fulfil, each its allotted part, in the 
world-wide kingdom which Christ was sent to es- 
tablish. 



CHAPTER Xm. 

PROOF OF CHRISTL\NITY FROM PROPHECY. 

Propliecj is a species of miracle. There are limits 
to the power of human foresight. The field beyond 
Nature of the ^^ Open to conjectiire, but is excluded from 
argument. trustwortlij prediction. Prophecy which 
is fulfilled under circumstances that forbid the sup- 
position of mere coincidence or accident, and the 
supposition that it causes its own fulfilment through 
some infiuence exerted by it, necessarily involves 
supernatural agency. Nothing else can account for 
the conformity of the event with the prediction. If 
it could be shown respecting one who utters predic- 
tions that in some instances they fail of accomplish- 
ment, even then the cases in which they are veri- 
fied, provided they cannot be resolved into fortunate 
guesses, prove that at certain times, or to a certain 
degree, he is gifted with superhuman foresight. 

The Old Testament contains a large predictive ele- 
ment. It might be said with truth that a stream of 
Prophecy per- P^'opliGcy ruus tlirough the Old Testament 
old Telta*^^ Scriptures. The religious guides of the 
ment. Hcbrew people ever looked forward to a 

grand future for which the present w^as only a prepa- 



96 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

I'ation. There are tliree striking particulars in which 
tliis proplietic character of Old Testament teaching, 
and of the devotional utterances connected with 
it, appears. First, there is to be a great improve- 
ment in the i-eligion itself. It is to take on a 
purer, more spiritual form.' Secondly, it is to have 
a world-wide predominance.^ The heathen nations 
are to embrace it, or to be brought under its 
sway. The whole earth is to acknowledge Jehovah. 
Thirdly, this spread and domination of the Old 
Testament religion is to be secured by the Messiah. 
A great leader, guide, prince is to appear, under 
whom the kingdom of God is to become universal. 
Righteousness and blessing are to attend its prog- 
ress. The prophetic pictures vary in form. Ele- 
ments derived from the kingdom of tlie Jews and 
from their relisjion in its then existino^ form natur- 
ally colored the anticipations and mingled in the 
visions of the seer and the saint. But these sub- 
ordinate features, in which prophecy varies from 
actual experience or accurately written history, do 
not lessen the profound impression which these pre- 
dictive declarations of the Old Testament, viewed 
in connection with what we know of Chi-ist and of 
Christianity, are adapted to make. The insight of 
the prophets into the plan of God has been verified 
in the events of subsequent ages, down to the pres- 
ent time. 

» Jeremiah xxxi. 31-35. 2 is. ii. 2^ etc. 



PROOF OF CHRISTIAXITY FROM PROFHECY. 97 

There was a class of prophets among the He- 
brews. To foretell- future events was only an inci- 
The class of Cental, it was not the principal, function of 
prophetB. ^j^g.j. ^^^^^ rp^^g^^ professcd to be called of 

God to instruct, to encourage, and to warn the people. 
They spoke with an eloqnence which made men feel 
that they were animated by an influence from above, 
and that God spoke through them. This was trne, 
for example, of the Prophet Isaiah. A part of their 
predictions cover the points referred to in the pre- 
ceding remarks. The coming perfection and glory 
of the kingdom, and of the Messiah its head, was 
their theme. But, besides these prophecies of a 
more general nature, there were uttered, in special 

Particular exigeucies, predictions of particular events 
predictions. '^^ ^j^^ ^^^^^ ^j, ^^^^^.^ distaut futurc. They 

were prophecies which did not spring from any 
statesmanlike sagacity or power of forecast. The 
prophets might be called from humble vocations in 
life. Amos was a herdsman. The prophetic insight, 
or foresight, went beyond the possible reach of hu- 
man calculation. An instance of prophecy of the 
kind here referred to is the predictions of Isaiah 
respecting the rapidly approaching downfall of the 
kingdoms of Israel and Syria, which had concluded 
an alliance with each other, and of the failure of 
their project against Judah.' Another instance is 
Isaiah's prophecy of the failure of the powerful 

1 Isaiah vii. 



98 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

army of the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, in liis 
siege of Jerusalem.' Among the propliecies respect- 
ing the Messiah and his work, the passage in Isaiah 
concerning the servant of God is remarkable.^ It 
contains verses which cannot refer to the people as a 
body, or to the pious kernel of the nation. Of such 
a character is verse 6: "All we have gone astray; 
w^e have turned every one to his own way ; and the 
Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." The 
prophecy has reference to one individual, and its 
correspondence to the experience of Christ is close. 
That Jesus himself foretold the coming destruction 
of Jerusalem is proved by the testimony of the first 
three Evangelists. More impressive than the pre- 
diction of any single event is the foreknowledge he 
had of the spread of the Gospel and of the victory 
of his kingdom. It was to grow like the mustard- 
seed, and to spread its influence like the hidden 
leaven. 

1 Isaiah xxxvii. 21 seq. " Isaiah lii. 13-liv. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

ARGUMENT FOR CHRISTIANITY FROM THE CONVERSION AND THE 
CAREER OF THE APOSTLE PAUL. 

About four years after the crucifixion, Saul of 
Tarsus, a man of great ability and sincerity, who 
belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, was trained in 
a rabbinical school at Jerusalem, and was zealous in 
persecuting Christian disciples, was converted, and 
became the principal agent in planting the Gospel 
in the cities of the Roman Empire. His conversion 
was sudden. '' It pleased God," lie says, " to reveal 
his Son in me, that I might preach him among 
the heathen." ' The particulars of his conversion, 
when he was on the road to Damascus, on an errand 
of persecution, are related by Luke in the Acts. 
Miraculous circumstances attended it.^ 

It is impossible to account for this event by merely 
natural causes. The only theory of this nature which 
His state of ^^^^ been advanced is the one to which we 
^^'^^- have adverted on a preceding page^ — the 

theory of hallucination. But, as we have said, his 
was not the state of mind out of which an illusion of 
this sort could be engendered. He expressly states 

1 Gal. i. 16. 2 Acts ix. 2 seq. , xxii. 5 seq. ^ Page S3. 



100 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

that he had no misgivings in regard to the rectitude 
of the course he was pursuing. '' I verily thought 
with myself that I ought to do many things contrary 
to tlie name of Jesus of ^Nazareth." ^ lie had been 
a persecutor, lie tells us, but found mercy because he 
"did it ignorantly, in unbelief."^ He was, to be 
sure, engaged in a hard, wearisome struggle to live up 
to his idea of legal righteousness. The yoke of the 
law pressed heavily upon him. This was a silent, un- 
conscious preparation for the relief which the Gospel 
was to afford ; but the immediate effect of this con- 
scientious legalism w^as not to excite in him the least 
favor to the Christian cause, the least inclination to 
regard Jesus as the Messiah. The effect, on the con- 
trary, was to increase his zeal in putting down what 
he considered a wicked and baneful heresy. As we 
Lave remarked, the expression, "It is hard for thee 
to kick against the pricks," does not imply, or re- 
motely suggest, the presence in his mind of com- 
punction or inward opposition to the work in which 
he was engaged. It was a proverbial expression, sig- 
nifying that he was embarked in a futile enterprise — 
one that would not avail to crush the cause of Christ, 
but would, the longer he persevered in it, harm 
himself the more. The metaphor was taken from 
the conflict of oxen with the driver behind them, 
and their vain attempt to resist him by kicking 
against the goad. 

1 Acts xxvi. 9. 2 1 Tim. i. 13. 



PROOF FROM TEE CONVERSION OF PA UL. 101 

To say that the occurrence which turned Pan! 
from an ardent eneniv to a devoted friend of the 
Was it a cause of the Gospel was only "a vision" 
"vision"? explains nothing. If it were only a vis- 
ion it would be necessary to show how a vision of 
that character could take place, save by supernatural 
agency. But it has been explained how the Apostle 
distinctly implies that the perception which he had 
of Christ at his conversion was of an entirely dif- 
ferent character from the disclosures which he sub- 
sequently had in apocalyptic visions/ 

Besides the miracle involved, the conversion of 
Paul was a wondei-ful transformation of character. 
Change of His wliole aim in life was changed, 
character. Aloug witli this rcvolution of purposG 
there arose within him new tempers of heart — the 
spirit of humility and love, of patience and forgive- 
ness ; in a word, the spirit of Christ. 

The result of that incident on the road to Damas- 
cus was the marvellous career of Paul as a preacher 
of Christianity, and a most remarkable and success- 
ful propagator of the faith which he had been tram- 
pling under foot, llow diiferent would the history 
of Europe liave been, how different the history of 
mankind, had the labors of Paul as an apostle of the 
Cross never been performed ! 

It is important to add that the Apostle Paul him- 
self wrought miracles. We have his word for it, 

1 1 Cor. XV. 8. 



102 CURISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

and no one doubts his trntlifulness. In the Epistle 

to the Romans, he explicitly refers to "the mighty 

sio^ns and wonders" which Christ had 

Miracles, '~-^ 

wrought by him/ So he reminds the 
Corinthians, in his Second Epistle to them, of " the 
signs and wonders and mighty deeds" which had 
been wrought by him before their eyes.^ They were 
" signs'" of " the Apostle ; " that is, of the Apostolic 
office. ]N^ow we find that the direction to work 
miracles was in the commission given by Christ to 
the Apostles.^ It cannot reasonably be doubted that 
the miracles of Paul and of the other Apostles were 
consciously done in pursuance of this commission. 
It is safe to conclude that Jesus himself professed to 
work miracles, and that the Apostles, in this par- 
ticular, had not only his precept, but his example 
before them. 

1 Rom. XV. 19, 2 2 Cor. xii. 12. 

3 Matt. X. 1, 8 ; Mark iii 15, etc. 



CHAPTEK XV. 

PKOOF OF THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY FROM THE 
INTRINSIC EXCELLENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN SYSTEM. 

In paving the way for the consideration of the 
evidence for miracles, prominent peculiarities of 
Christianit}^ including the character of Jesus, were 
touched upon. Brief additional observations will 
here be made on leading features of the Gospel. 

The Christian conception of God represents hira 
as a being who unites with infinite power and wis- 
dom the moral attributes of holiness and 

God. . 

love. He does not, as m the creed of 
Deism, stand apart from the world, nor is he, as in 
the creed of Pantheism, identified with it. He is 
immanent in the world, present with his all-pervad- 
ing energ}^, '^ not far from any one of us," yet per- 
sonal, acquainted with all our thouo-hts, 

Man. ' { , 

and hearing prayer. Man is declared to 
be made in the image of God, and qualified, there- 
fore, for conscious intercourse and fellowship with 
him. Moral evil is not confounded with physical 
evil, or made its product, but is traced 
back to the voluntary separation of man- 
kind from God, and to the consequent rule in their 



104 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

nature of propensities which ought to be kept sub- 
ordinate. In the recovery of mankind, "the axe is 
laid at the root of the tree." In the Ee- 

Cbrist. r^^ ' r^ a > 

storer, Jesus Christ, Grod is manirested, 
and, at the same time, the ideal of human perfec- 
tion is realized. God is re-connected with mankind. 
Reconciliation is effected in a way that brings no 
cloud upon tlie holiness of tlie divine character and 
government. In Christ, the life of communion with 

the divine Father, and of peace in that re- 

The Chris- . . . . ' . ^ 

tian's inward lation, IS maintained in the conflict with 

life, ' . 

temptation, in the face of the world's 
hatred, and on the cross. That inward life is com- 
municated to all who are attracted to him as dis- 
ciples and followers. It is nourished within them 
by the invisible Spirit, replacing his visible pres- 
ence. In the new relation to Christ, and through 
him to the Father, they detach themselves from 
every earthly object regarded as an idol, or an in- 
dispensable good, and thus gain strength to endure 
"the loss of all things." They form a community 
of the children of God, drawing within itself all 
who aspire after the life of sonship and of oneness 
with the Father. Life on the earth becomes a 
school for the training of the sonl for a higher state 
of existence in the future. To them, all suffering 
is the chastisement of a Father, and death is a door 
of access to a heavenly abode. The entire course 
of events, including the most minute, is ordered of 



PROOF FROM THE CHRISTIAN SYSTEM. 105 

God, so that all things work together for good to 
them that love him. 

To use the world, and not abuse it, to enjo}^ the 
world without being a slave to it, is the Christian's 
The Gospel privilege. An excessive value is to be 
not ascetic, attached to no form of earthly happiness ; 
but, on the other hand, asceticism, together with a 
cynical contempt for human relations and pleasures, 
is equally precluded. 

Christianity is a religion of principles, not of 
rules. In the room of specific and minute pre- 
cepts, it sets forth the great ends with 
religion of reference to which conduct is to be shaped. 
But within these bounds the individual 
is left, for the most part, to be guided by his own 
intelligence and moral sense. The aim is to mould 
aright the leading motives of action, so that a man 
shall be a law to himself, and spontaneity shall take 
the place of legal restraint. The supreme law is 
affirmed to be love, than which no higher or more 
comprehensive principle of action can be imagined. 
Discipleship is not a literal imitation of Christ, a 
copying of his particular actions, but rather the liv- 
ing appropriation of his spirit. No type of goodness 
more worthy can be conceived of than the one pre- 
sented in the actual life of Jesus. 

Christianity is adapted to be the religion of the 
world. It has all the requisites of a universal re- 
ligion. It teaches the equality of the race before 



lOG CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

God, the brotherhood of mankind, the common de- 
pravity of men, and the consequent common need 
of fors'iveness and of deliverance from 

Christianity . ^ . • t -i > ■> r-% 

adapted to sm. Ihc salvation provided in the Gos- 

mankind. -,..-, 

pel IS suited, not to any single nation or 
to any branch of the human family exclusively, but 
equally to every member of the race. In the com- 
munity of Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew, 
bond nor free, male nor female.^ The "good news" 
of the love of God to the ill-deserving is to be car- 
ried to " every creature." With the proclamation 
of human guilt and sin, there are carried the tidings 
of an atonement, of pardon, of the means of puri- 
fication. 

Can a religion having this lofty character and 
this adaptation to the world be attributed to the 
Galilean laborers who were concerned in the first 
teaching of it ? Can it be considered as the off- 
spring of merely human puritj^ and wisdom ? 

1 Gal. iii. 38 ; Col. iii. 11. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

PROOF AFFORDED BY THE CONTRAST OF CHRISTIANITY WITH 
OTHER RELIGIONS AND WITH PHILOSOPHICAL SYSTEMS. 

Christianity, when it is compared with the other 
religions of the world, is seen to be the one true, or 
absolute religion. It is free from the defects that 
belong to them. It supplies the elements which are 
missino; in them. It fills out what is wantino; in an 
inchoate system, true in its foundations, but incom- 
plete, as was the religion of the Old Testament. 

Tlie religion of the ancient Persians, the worship- 
pers of light, who professed to derive their faith 
Thezoroas- from Zoroastcr, divided the empire of the 
tnan religion. ^,qj.](J bctwecn two autagouistic deities. 

The creed was dualism, a theory that also mingles 
itself in the Pantheistic religions of India. Con- 
fucius, the sa^e of China, was a moral- 

Confucius. ^ ^ 

ist. He was the author of ethical and 
political precepts not without value, but he made 
no claim to reveal things invisible. It is often said 
that the golden rule is found in Confucius. But in 
Originality of him, and in every other ethnic writer to 
the Gospel. '^Iiqiu it is ascribcd, it occurs either in 
a negative form, or merely in some particular rela- 



108 cnnis tia n e vidences. 

tion — for exainple, as defining the diit}" of the parent 
to tlie cliild. The same thing is true of tlie golden 
rule as it is found in the Kabbis. Two or three sen- 
tences of the Lord's Prayer appear to have existed 
in earlier Jewish forms of devotion. The originality 
of Jesus is seen in the addition of these to the other 
petitions, and the nnion of all in a living whole; 
just as the golden rule acquires a deeper meaning 
when it is conpled with his teaching on wdiat man 
ought to desire for himself and to count as the true 
good. But the originality of the Gospel lies especial- 
ly in the relation of its moral precepts to religious 
doctrine, and to the new life which is implanted 
through the connection of the believer with Clmst. 
The only two religions, besides the religion of 
Christ, which can pretend to the character of univer- 
Mohamme- sality, are Mohammedanism and Buddh- 
damsm. \^\n, Moliammcdanism derived its mate- 

rials from Babbinical sources, and thus, indirectly, 
from the Old Testament revelation. In its ear- 
nest faith in the unity of God, and in its protest 
against idolatry, it was in sympath}^ with the teach- 
ing of the Bible. In these doctrines, heartily em- 
braced, lay the secret of the power of Islam, as far 
as that power was legitimate. But there were two 
grand defects in its theology. There was no such 
exaltation of the love of God, the highest attribute 
of his character, as the Bible contains ; and there 
was no room for the unfolding of a grander future. 



CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER SYSTEMS. 109 

such as the Messianic hope of the Old Testament 
involved. The moral code of Islam includes a sanc- 
tion of polygamy and slavery. The desire of sensual 
gratification enters into the hope of paradise, and 
this reward is held out as one motive to the be- 
liever. Under Mohammedanism, woman can never 
rise above a degraded condition, or appi'oach that 
equality with man which Christianity has secured 
for her. Mohammedanism is a religion to be propa- 
gated by force, the employment of which for the 
overcomino; of error Christianitv forbids. It is, 
moreover, the religion of the letter. The disciple 
is forever bound to observe all the special precepts 
of the Koran. There is only a nominal and igno- 
rant recognition of Christ. The elevating and con- 
soling influences wdiich, to the Christian mind, con- 
nect themselves with the name of Jesus, are want- 
ing in the creed of the Mohammedan devotee. 

Owing to these characteristics of Islam it is not 
capable of advancing the nations that embrace it 
beyond a certain stage of progress. There civiliza- 
tion, all that pertains to the higher life of man, is 
petrified in immovable forms, or gives way to de- 
crepitude and decay. 

Buddhism inculcated certain virtues. It enjoined 

self-conquest and universal kindness. It laid down 

a number of special precepts which resem- 

Bnddhism. ,, .. . ri tv-t m 

ble injunctions oi the JNew iestament. 
But these moral rules are linked in Buddhism with 



110 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

a system of Pantheism and with the exhortation to 
renounce the desire of a future life. The doctrine 
of "Karma" involves no such thing as continued 
personal identity and immortalit3\ Nirvana, the 
state of bliss, is tranquillity here, and extinction, as 
far as identity of consciousness is concerned, here- 
after. Buddhism promised a release from the bur- 
dens of caste and the dread of transmigration. This 
negative good vv^as the boon which it offered, and 
accounts for its progress in the land of its origin. 
But the Buddhistic religion brought in an ascetic, a 
monkish system hardly less fruitful of misery than 
the two-fold curse which it aimed to displace. " In 
it we have an ethical system but no lawgiver, a 
world without a creator, a salvation without eternal 
life, and a sense of evil but no conception of par- 
don, atonement, reconciliation, or redemption." * 

In ancient times there were systems of philos- 
ophy which sought to afford light and solace to the 
minds of men. Socrates, the best of the 

Philosophy. iiit t» 

heathen teachers, although he believed m 

a supreme Deity, still held also to " lords many and 

fi^ods many," and mingled with the hope 

Socrates. tD J J o r 

of another life an admixture of doubt. 

lie felt the need of some sure " word of God " to 

guide us in the ri^ht way.^ Plato taught 

Plato. C' , . ? 

that virtue is likeness to God according 
to the measure of human power ; but his concep- 

1 T. W. Rhys Davids, in Non-Christian Religions, p. 131. ^ Apol. 21. 



CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER SYSTEMS. Ill 

tion of God, both as to his natural and moral at- 
tributes, fell decidedly below that of Christian the- 
ism. Moreover, to the question how to attain to 
such a resemblance to God, how to conquer the evil 
within us, he could give no satisfactory answer. lie 
mistook the source of moral evil, which he made to 
be chiefly ignorance ; and philosophy, which he con- 
ceived of as the proper remedy for such a malady, 
he held that only a few were competent to under- 
stand. The two systems most in vogue when the 
Gospel was first preached in the Roman Empire 
were Epicureanism and Stoicism. It was Epicure- 
ans and Stoics who encountered the Apostle Paul 
The Epicure- ^^ Atlicns.' The Epicurcaus disconnected 
^"^- the gods from all concern with the af- 

fairs of men. They were practically atheists. They 
made the sum of human virtue to be a self-regard- 
ino- prudence. Stoicism was a nobler sys- 

The stoics. ® ^ . . ^ 

tem. It enjomed, as the source of peace, 
resignation to the divine will ; but that divine will 
was indistinguishable from fate, and the repose of 
mind of the Stoic sage was gained at the cost of 
quelling and chilling the natural emotions. In the 
room of fellowship with Zeus, the Supreme One, 
the thing aimed at was an independence of Zeus, a 
proud self-reliance. Suicide was held to be lawful, 
and might be expedient ; for notwithstanding all 
that was said of the wise order of the world, there 

1 Acts xvii. 18. 



112 cnniSTiAN evidences. 

were situations, it was tlionght, when a man was 
bound by self-respect to put an end to his own life, 
lu the Stoic system, there was no rational motive 
for the existence of the world. There was no good 
to be attained by the divine Providence of which 
the Stoic spoke ; for all things were to issue in a 
universal conflagration. 

In contrast with all the ancient systems of phi- 
losophy, Christianity brought forward such a con- 
ception of God that the precept to be 

Christianity , tt.ii t iit 

audphiios- like him was intelligible and could be 
profitably obeyed. It brought forward 
the truth of a Providence of God, extending over 
all persons and events, a universal care compre- 
hending the least of God's creatures, and causing 
all things to conspire to promote the well-being of 
his children. Natural sensibility is not petrified. 
Natural emotions and affections are left in healthy 
activity, but trust in the fatherly love and wisdom 
of God enables the afilicted to be at peace. More- 
over, in distinction from all other religions and phi- 
losophies, Christianity provides redemption. That 
is to say, while it holds up the ideal of perfection, 
the law of righteousness, it provides, at the same 
time, effectual means of attaining, through Jesus 
Christ, to the partial, and ultimately to the com- 
plete, realization of it. 

AVhen the incomparable superiority of the Chris- 
tian system over the other religions of the world 



CERISTTANITT AND OTHER SYSTEMS. 113 

and over the highest achievements of philosophy 
is duly appreciated, it appears unreasonable to think 
tliat Christianity sprang from the unaided intel- 
ligence of the humble, unlettered Hebrews who 
were the instruments of publishing its truths to 
the world. 

8 



CHAPTER XVIL 

CORROBORATIVE PROOF OF THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY 
FROM ITS UTILITY. 

As pernicious tendencies and consequences would 
prove that a religion is false, so a demonstrated 
beneficence is evidence, not without weight, that 
the system of religion having this tendency and ef- 
fect is true. It is said of certain heathen religions 
and of Mohammedanism that they are productive 
of good. This is conceded up to a certain degree. 
This result may be attributed to elements of truth 
which they contain. But Christianity differs in be- 
ing useful without any drawback, and to an extent 
wholly without parallel. 

Christ styled his followers " the light of the 
world" and "the salt of the earth." This they 
Light and proved tliemsclvcs to be. They failed 
^^^^' then, as afterwards, to live up to the 

standard of Christian character and conduct. Never- 
theless, Christianity illuminated the world, pouring 
a flood of light on man and his relations to God, on 
human duties, and the design and issues of our life 
on earth. And Christianity powerfully and effectu- 



THE UTILITY OF CHRISTIANITY. 115 

ally counteracted the tendencies to demoralization 
and ruin. It rescued society from the decay and 
moral putrefaction into which it was rapidly sink- 
ing. In the midst of a falling world, it planted the 
seeds of a better civilization. 

Christianity asserted the incalculable worth of 
every human soul. It declared that no individual 
Effects of is made to be the mere instrument of 
Christianity, another's gratification. The welfare of 
every individual is an end in itself. Hence the 
Gospel insisted on the equality of all men before 
God. At the same time, self-sacrifice was made 
the supreme duty and was declared to be the source 
of the highest blessedness to him who practises it. 
These principles were the foundation of liberty and 
the fountain of beneficence. -Not only was the ideal 
of virtue set forth; new, inspiring motives to the 
practice of it were presented in the mission and ex- 
ample of Jesus. The result of the influence of Chris- 
tianity was the purification of domestic life. The 
rigor of paternal authority was softened. The wife 
and mother was elevated to her true place. Chris- 
tianity has raised woman from degradation. It has 
improved, in a corresponding measure, the lot of 
children. It has immeasurably improved the con- 
dition of the laboring classes, by insisting that they 
shall have their just dues. The poor and unfortu- 
nate became objects of compassion and recipients of 
practical aid in multiform ways. Christianity pro- 



IIG CHRISTIAN EVIDEXCES. 

moted civil liberty. It inculcated loyalty, but put 
an end to the unqualified domination of the State. 
AVhile the ina2:istrate was to be obeyed as the minis- 
ter of God, he was to be disobeyed if he enjoined 
anything against the divine law. The process began 
of conforming civil law to the reqnirements of jus- 
tice. "Stranger" was no longer the synonym of 
"enemv." International law has taken on a new 
character under the influence of the Christian re- 
ligion, in which are recognized the rights of nations, 
even the weakest. The spirit of charity, no longer 
confined by the bounds of nation and kindred, em- 
braces all niankind. Such were the inherent ten- 
dencies, and such has been the actual power of 
Christianity, that its effect on the individual was 
properly styled " a new creation." ' One looking at 
tlie influence of Christianity in the first centuries 
after it appeared, and in the ages following to the 
present time, sees the result of that revolution in 
personal character, of which the Apostle said : "The 
old things are passed away ; behold, they are be- 
come new." 

The transforming efl:'ect of Christianity is the 
miracle of history. A religion adequate to the pro- 
duction of such beneficent results must have God 
for its author. 

* 2 Cor. V. 17 (Revised Version). 



CHAPTEK XVm. 

COKROBORATrv'E PROOF OF CHRISTIANITY FROM ITS RAPID 
SPRE.\D IN THE FIRST CENTURIES. 

Tlie rapid progress of a religion may be owing 
to the indulgence granted by it to immoral prac- 
tices, or to the use of force in the dissemination of 
it. In this way the victories of Islam are partly to 
be accounted for. Or the spread of a religion may 
be caused by the hope inspired of a deliverance from 
grievous burdens imposed by a religious system pre- 
viously dominant, even although the new faith is 
not, on the w-hole, of an ennobling character. This 
explains the progress of Buddhism in India ; while 
the ready junction or identification of Buddhism 
with the existing religions of China and Japan gave 
it a free course in those countries. 

To neither of these causes was the surprising con- 
quest of the Roman Empire by the Christian faith 
Self denial due. It w^as at vai'iaucc with the selfish, 
reqiiued. national ambition of the Jews, with their 
tenacious clinging to their ritual, and with their 
bigoted assumption of superiority over every other 
people. The Gospel demanded of the heathen the 



118 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

renunciation of all their objects of worship, of all the 
employments and amusements that involved partici- 
pation in the ancestral and legal forms of devotion. 
More than this, it required inexorably the forsaking 
of every species of immorality, and the subjugation 
of every desire for forbidden pleasures. It was sup- 
ported by no influential class — not by the rich, or 
learned, or those holding high social or official sta- 
tions. By these generally, it was regarded w;ith dis- 
dain. Christians were objects of popular contempt. 
Soon severe laws were enforced against them, and 
they became victims both of legal and of mob vio- 
lence. To become a Christian was to expose one's 
self to the "loss of all things." Yet notwithstand- 
ing all these requirements and all these exposures, 
Christianity continued to make converts rapidly, 
until it became clear that Roman imperial authority 
was not strong enough to extirpate the new faith 
or to stay its advance. At length, in the space of 
a few centuries, the altars of heathenism were de- 
serted, and the last vestiges of heathen worship 
passed away. 

The proximate causes of this rapid progress, Gib- 
bon makes to be five : The zeal of the early Chris- 
Gibbonon tiaus, wliicli lie represents to have been 
of chdftian- dcrivcd from the Jews, but to have been 
^'-y* purged of Jewish narrowness ; the doc- 

trine of a future life of rewards and punishments ; 
the power of working miracles, ascribed to the 



THE RAPID SPREAD OF CHRISTIA^iTTY. 110 

primitive Church ; the pure and austere morals of 
ihe Christians, and the union and discipline of the 
Christian republic — the ecclesiastical community. 
But these causes are distinct from one another. 
How, it has been pertinently asked, did they come 
to be combined in the same persons ? Ilovv shall 
we account for this coincidence ? How, for exam- 
ple, did zeal come to be cleared of narrowness ? and 
how happened this ardor, mixed with liberality, to 
be associated with the Christian doctrine respecting 
the future life ? Then it is obvious that these causes 
are, one and all, the effect of Christianity — ingredi- 
ents of the Gospel or its natural consequences. The 
solution, therefore, amounts to this, that the cause 
of the rapid diffusion of Christianity was Christian- 
ity itself, or qualities inhering in it. 

This is in effect the solution of a more recent 
writer who has undertaken to make clear the causes 
of the conversion of Rome.' It was not the alleged 
miracles ; it was not, in any considerable degree, the 
reasoning from prophecy, which achieved the great 
conquest.^ It was " the elements of power and at- 
traction" which the new religion combined. These 
' vvere its freedom from " local ties ; " its strong ap- 
peal to the affections ; its *' pure and noble system 
of ethics ; " its doctrine of the brotherhood of man, 
and of "the supreme sanctity of love." To the 

* Lecky : History of European Morals from Augustus to Charle- 
magne, vol i. , p. 409 seq. 2 p, 409. 



120 CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. 

philosopher it was at once " the echo of the higliest 
ethics of the later Stoics, and tlie expansion of the 
best teaching of the school of Plato." To a world 
weary of lower ideals, Christianity presented "an 
ideal of compassion and love — an ideal destined for 
centuries to draw around it all that was greatest, as 
well as all that was noblest upon earth — a Teacher 
who could weep by the sepulchre of his friend, who 
was touched w^itli the feeling of our iniirniities." * 
"The chief canse of its success was the congruity 
of its teaching with the spiritual nature of man- 
kind.*' " It planted its roots so deeply in the hearts 
of men," " because it corresponded with their relig- 
ious wants, aims, and emotions, because the whole 
spiritual being could then expand and expatiate 
under its influence." The author who has thus 
traced the early triumph of Christianity'mainly to 
its own inherent, exalted characteristics, leaves un- 
solved the problem of the origin of a system whose 
power sprang from its transcendent worth. Those 
who believe, with a living faith, in a personal God 
w^ll not find it unreasonable to accept the explana- 
tion which the l^ew Testament presents, and refer 
this world-transforming Gospel to divine revela- 
tion. , 

» p. 413. 



INDEX. 



Acts, genuineness of the, 63 

Alogi, 6i 

Apostles, the, not victims of hal- 
lucination, 44 ; their trust- 
worthiness, 70 seq. ; their can- 
dor, 71 seq. ; their sobriety, 79 ; 
tested by sufferings, 79 ; their 
alleged errors in doctrine, 86 
seq. ; their views on the Second 
Advent, 85 ; their interpreta- 
tions and reasonings, 90 

Barnabas, the Epistle of, its 

quotations from Matthew, 55 
Baur, F. C, 85 
Buddhism, 109 
Burnet, Bishop, 90 
Byron, 24 

Celsus, 69 

Christ, his character, 33, 81 ; his 
perfection, 35; not self-de- 
ceived, 36 ; his sanction of the 
Old Testament relig'on, 92 ; 
limits of his teaching, 93. See 
"Resurrection " 

Christianity, the needs met by it, 
25 seq. ; admitted facts of, 28 ; 



its rapid spread, 29 ; its influ- 
ence, 30; its divine origin 
shown by the character of 
Christ, S3 ; its leading features, 
103 soq. ; a religion of princi- 
ples, 105 ; a religion for the 
world, 106 ; contrasted with 
other systems, 107 seq. ; proof 
from its utility, 114 seq. ; proof 
from its rapid spread, 117 seq. 
Church, the Christian, its rise, 30 

Demoniacs, 86 

Epicureanism, 111 

Evidence, historical, its nat'ire, 
4 ; probable and demonstrative, 
5 ; cumalative, 5 ; internal and 
external, 6 ; the affections, a 
source of, 7 

Genuineness of a book, its 
meaning, 3 

Gibbon, on the spread of Chris- 
tianity, 118 

God, his benevolence, 24 

Gospels, their genuineness, 47 
seq. ; Irenaeus respecting the, 



122 



INDEX. 



48 seq. ; Justin Martyr's use of 
them, 50 seq. ; Tatian's use of 
them, 53 ; references to them in 
Poly carp, 54; in "The Teach- 
ing," etc., 55 ; the witness of 
the ancient versions to the, 56 ; 
internal evidence for the, 60 
seq. ; local references in the, 
61 ; mystical theory respecting 
the, 73 ; alleged discrepancies in 
the, 74 ; their testimony to the 
resurrection of Christ, 82 seq. 
See the Gospels severally 

Horace, 24 

Hume, his argument against mir- 
acles, 15 seq. 
Huxley, on Hume's argument, 17 

Inspiration, what is it ? 2 
Irenaeus, his witness to the Gos- 
pels, 48 seq. ; his relation to 
Polycarp, 49, 65 

Jews, their religion, 28 

John the Baptist, 28 ; performed 
no miracles, 40 

John, the Gospel of, used by Jus- 
tin, 53 ; its relation to the first 
three Gospels, 63 ; local refer- 
ences in, 65 ; the author's way 
of disclosing himself, 66 ; at- 
testation at the end of, 67 ; not 
written "oy disciples of John, 
68 ; a kind of autobiography, 
68. See ''Gospels" 

Josephus, 28 

Justin Martyr, his witness to the 
Gospels, 50 seq. ; to John's Gos- 
pel, 53 



Lecky, on the early progress of 

Christianity, 119 
Luke, an attendant of Paul, 61 
Luke, the writings of, 61. See 

"Gospels "and " Acts" 

Mark, the Gospel of, Papias on, 
57. See "Gospels" 

Matthew, the Gospel of, quoted 
in Barnabas, 55 ; Papias on 57. 
See "Gospels" 

Mill, J. S. , his comment on Hume's 
argument, 16 

Miracles, definition of, 9 ; terms 
for, in the New Testament, 10 ; 
not without a cause, 11 ; Hume's 
argument against, 15 ; prove 
design, 18 ; can evil spirits per- 
form them ? IS ; their relation, 
as proofs, to doctrine, 18 ; the 
sinlessness of Jesus, one of 
them, 35; presupposed in the 
teaching of Christ, 37 seq. ; hea- 
then and ecclesiastical, 70 seq.; 
wrought by Paul, 101 

Mohammedanism, 108 

Mythical theory, 73 

Old Testament system, its re- 
lation to Christianity, 91 ; its 
prophetic character, 95 seq. 

Palet, 75, 90 ; on tho need of 
Revelation, 22 

Papias, his account of Mark and 
Matthew, 57 

Paul, his witness to the resurrec- 
tion of Jesus, 41 seq.; his con- 
version, miraculous, 43 seq., 99 
seq. ; wrought miracles, 101 

Plato, 110 



INDEX. 



123 



Polycarp, his relation to Irenaeus, 
49, 65 ; quotes from Matthew 
and John, 54 

Presumption, logical, its meaning, 
21 

Prophecy, proof from, 95 seq. 

Renan, 37, 65 

Resurrection of Jesus, testimony 

of Paul respecting it, 41 seq.; 

proved from the Evangelists, 

82 seq. 
Revelation, antecedent probability 

of, 22 ; the need of, 23 seq.; the 

need of, met by Christianity, 25 



Socrates, 110 
Stoicism, 111 
Strauss, D. F., 37, 73 

Tatian, his "Diatesseron," 53 
"Teaching of the XII Apostles," 
as a witness to the Gospels, 55 

Uniformity of nature, 13 

Versions, the ancient, their wit- 
ness to the Gospels, 56 

Zoroaster, 107 



CHURCH HISTORY. 



THE BEGINNINGS OF CHRISTIANITY. With a View of the 
State of the Roman World at the Birth of Christ. By 
GEORGE P. FISHER, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Church 
History in Yale College. 8vo, $2.50. 

THE BOSTON ADVERTISER.— •' Prof. Fisher has displayed in this, as in hla 
previous published writings, that catholicity and that cahn judicial quality ol 
mind which are so indispensable to a true historical critic." 

THE EXAMINER.— "The volume is not a dry repetition of well-known facts. 
It bears the marks of original research. Every page glows with freshness of 
material and choiceness of diction." 

THE EVANGELIST.— "The volume contains an amount of information that 
makes it one of the most useful of treatises for a student In philosophy and 
theology, and must secure for it a place in his library as a standard authority." 

HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. By GEORGE P. 
FISHER, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Ecciesiastical History in 
Yale University. 8vo, with numerous maps, S3. 50. 

This work is in several respects notable. It gives an able presenta- 
tion of the subject in a single volume, thus supplying the need of a 
complete and at the same time condensed survey of Church History, 
It will also be found much broader and more comprehensive than other 
books of the kind. The following will indicate its aim and scope. 

FROM THE PREFACE.— "There are two particulars in which I have sought 
to make the narrative specially serviceable. la the first place the attempt has 
been made to exhibit fully the relations of the history of Christianity and of the 
Church to contemporaneous secular history. * « * i have tried to bring out 
more distinctly than 13 usually done the interaction of events and changes in the 
poUtical sphere, with the phenomena which belong more strictly to the ecclesiasti- 
cal and religious province. In the second place it has seemed to me possible to 
present a tolerably complete survey of the history of theological doctrine. * * * 

" It has appeared to me better to express frankly the conclusions to which my 
Investigations have led me, on a variety of topics where differences of opinion 
exist, than to take refuge in ambiguity or silence. Something of the dispassionate 
temper of an onlooker may be expected to result from historical studies If long 
pursued ; nor is this an evil, If there is kept alive a warm sympathy with the spii it 
of holiness and love, wherever it is manifest. 

"As this book is designed not for technical students exclusivdy, but for intet 
ligent readers generally, the temptation to enter into extended aiid minute cUacu*> 
Biona on perplexed or controverted topics has been resisted." 



STANDARD TEXT nOOKS. 



HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. By PHILIP SCHAFF, 
D.D. New Edition, re-written and enlarged. Vol. I.— Apos- 
tolic Christianity, A.D. 1—100. Vol. II.— Ante-Nicene Chris- 
tianity, A.D. 100—325. Vol. Ill.-Nicene and Post-Nicene 
Christianity, A. D. 311-600. Vol. IV.— Mediaeval Christianity, 
A.D. 590-1073. 8vo, price per vol., $4.00. 

This work is extremely comprehensive. All subjects that properly 
belong to a complete sketch are treated, including the history of Chris- 
tian art, hymnology, accounts of the lives and chief works of the 
Fathers of the Church, etc. The great theological, christological, and 
anthropological controversies of the period are duly sketched ; and in 
all the details of history the organizing hand of a master is distinctly 
seen, shaping the mass of materials into order and system. 

PROF. GEO. P. FISHER, Of Tale College.— " Dr. Schaff has ttorouglily and 
successfully accompllslied his task. The volumes are replete with evidences of a 
careful study of the original sources and of an extraordinary and, we might say, 
unsurpassed acquaintance with the modem literature— German, French, and 
English— in the department of ecclesiastical history. They are equally marked fcy 
a fair-minded, conscientious spirit, as well as by a lucid, animated mode of 
presentation." 

PROF. ROSWELL D. HITCHCOCK, D.D.— "In no other single work of 
its kind virlth which I am acquainted will students and general readers find so 
much to instruct and interest them." 

DR. JUL. MULLER, of Halle.— "It is the only history of the first six cen- 
turies which truly satisfies the wants of the present age. It is rich in results of 
original investigation." 

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, IN CHRONOLOGI- 
CAL TABLES. A Synchronistic View of the Events, Charac- 
teristics, and Culture of each period, including the History of 
Polity, Worship, Literature, and Doctrines, together with two 
Supplementary Tables upon the Church in America; and an 
Appendix, containing the series of Councils, Popes, Patri- 
archs, and other Bishops, and a full Index. By the late 
HENRY B. SMITH, D.D., Professor in the Union Theologi- 
cal Seminary of the City of New York. Revised Edition. 
Folio, $5.00, 

REV. DR. W. G. T. SHEDD.— " Prof. Smith's Historical Tables are ^.1Z best 
that I know of in any language. In preparing such a work, with so much care and 
research. Prof. Smith has furnished to the student an apparatus that will be ol 
life-long service to him" 

REV. DR. WILLIAM ADAMS.— "The labor expended upon such a work la 
Immense, and its accuracy and completeness do honor to the reoearch and 
scholarship of its author, and are an invaluable acquisition to our literature." 



CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS' 



LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH CHURCH. By 
ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, D.D. With Maps and Plans. 
New Edition from New Plates, with the author's latest revis- 
ion. Part I.— From Abraham to Samuel. Part II.— From 
Samuel to the Captivity. Part III.— From the Captivity to 
the Christian Era. Three vols., 12mo (sold separately), each 
$2.00. 

The same— Westminster Edition. Three vols., 8vo (sold in sets 
only), per set, 89.00. 

LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF THE EASTERN CHURCH. 

With an introduction on the Study of Ecclesiastical History. 
By ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, D.D. New Edition from 
New Plates. 12mo, $2.00. 

LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOT- 
LAND. By ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, D.D. 8vo, $1.50. 

In all that concerns the external characteristics of the scenes and 
persons described, Dr. Stanley is entirely at home. His books are not 
dry records of historic events, but animated pictures of historic scenes 
and of the actors in them, while the human motives and aspects of 
events are brought out in bold and full relief. 

THE LONDON CRITIC— "Earnest, eloquent, learned, witli a style that la 
never monotonous, but luring ttu-ougb. its eloquence, the lectures will matutaia 
his fame as author, scholar, and divine. We could point out many passages that 
glow with a true poetic fire, but there are hundreds pictorially rich and poetically 
true. The reader experiences no weariness, for in every page and paragraph 
there is something to engage the mind and refresh the soul." 

THE NEW ENGLANDER.—" We have first to express our admiration of the 
grace and graphic beauty of his style. The felicitous discrimination in the u:g 
of language which appears on every page is especially required on those topics, 
where the author's position might so easily bo mistaken through an unguarded 
statement. Dr. Stanley is possessed of the prime quality of an historical student 
and writer— namely, the Mstorical feeling, or sense, by which conditions of life 
and types of character, remote from our present experience, are vividly con- 
ceived of and truly appreciated." 

THE N. Y. TIMES.— "The Old Testament History Is here presented as it 
never was presented before ; with so much clearness, elegance of style, and his- 
toric and literary illustration, not to speak of learning and calmness of judgment, 
that not theologians alone, but also cultivated readers generally, are drawn to its 
pages. In point of style it takes rank with Macaulay'a History and the beat 
chapters of Proudc." 



HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



THE DAWN OF HISTORY. An Introduction to Pre-Historio 
Study. Edited by C. F. KEARY. 12mo, $1.25. 

This work treats successively of the earliest traces of man in the 
remains discovered in caves or elsewhere in different parts of Europe ; 
of language, its growth, and the story it tells of the pre-historic users 
of it ; of the races of mankind, early social life, the religions, mythol- 
ogies, and folk-tales of mankind, and of the history of writing. 

NATION.— "The book may be heartily recommended as probably the most 
satisfactory summary of the subject that there is." 

BOSTON SAT. EVE. GAZETTE.— "A fascinating manual, without a vestige 
of the dullness usually charged against scientific works. In its way, the work is 
a model of what a popular scientific work should be." 

THE ORIGIN OF NATIONS. By Professor GEORGE RAWLIN- 
SON, M.A. 12mo, with maps, $1.00. 

The first part of this book, Early Civilizations, discusses the an- 
tiquity of civilization in Egypt and the other early nations of the East. 
The second part, Ethnic Affinities in the Ancient World, is an examin- 
ation of the ethnology of Genesis, showing its accordance with the 
latest results of modem ethnographical science. 

CONGREGATIONALIST.— "A work of genuine scholarly excellence, and a 
useful offset to a great deal of the superficial current literature on such subjects." 

MANUAL OF MYTHOLOGY. For the Use of Schools, Art Stu- 
dents, and General Readers. Founded on the Works of 
Petiscus, Preller, and Welcker. By ALEXANDER S. MUR- 
RAY, Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British 
Museum. With 45 Piates on tinted paper, representing 
more than 90 Mythological Subjects. Reprinted from the 
Second Revised London Edition. Crown 8vo, $1.75. 

THE CLEVELAND HERALD.— "It has been acknowledged the best work on 
tlie subject to be found in a concise form, and as it embodies the results of the 
latest researches and discoveries in ancient mythologies, it is superior for school 
»nd general purposes as a haul book to any of the so-called standard works." 

THE BOSTON JOURNAL.— "Whether as a manual for reference, a text book 
for school use, or for the general reader, the book will be found very valuable an(] 
interesting." 



STANDARD TEXT BOOKS. 



THE REFORMATION. By Prof. GEORGE P. FISHER, D.D., 

Professor of Ecclesiastical History in Yale College. Crown 
8vo, $2.50. 

THE CHRISTIAN UNION.— "The book is a remarkable instance of that 
power of lucid condensation whicti its auttior possesses in a high degree. • » • 
Tbe quality of condensedness renders it worthy to be studied, not merely read ; 
and it would be excellent as a text-book in college. The references are full and 
valuable, and the chronological table and list of authorities will be appreciated 
by all students." 

PROF. CHARLES A. AIKEN, D.D., Princeton Theological Seminary.— "Fto- 
lessor Fisher's History of the RefoiTixation presents the results of prolonged, 
extended, and exact study, with those excellent qualities of style which are so 
characteristic of him— clearness, smoothness, judicial fairness, vividness, felicity 
in arranging material, as well as in grouping and delineating characters. It must 
become not only a library favorite, but a popular manual, where such a work is 
required for instruction and study. For such uses it seems to me admirably 
adapted." 



THE ANCIENT EMPIRES OF THE EAST. By Prof. A. H. 
SAYCE, of Oxford. 12mo, S1.50. 

THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.— " Here the life and history of the ancient 
civilizations have been sketched on the authority of the monuments they have 
themselves bequeathed. The work is indispensable to all who would keep pace 
with the latest movements of modern research." 

THE S. S. TIMES— "Prof. Sayce'shlstory is the best popular book in its field. 
It is abreast of modem research ; its point of view is broad and comprehensive, 
and its style is such as to commend it to the wide public to which it is addressed." 

THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION.— "Mr. Sayce is recognized as the leading 
Assyriologist of our day, and has given in this valuable book the latest 
results of the latest researches into the mysterious antiquity of the ancient Orien- 
tal civilizations. He gives us information not to be found elsewhere, and much 
which lies dispersed In periodicals of only limited circulation. It is indispensable 
for every student of history." 



HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION 
FOR BEGINNERS. By D. W. RANNIE. 12mo, $1.00. 

THE N. Y. SUN.— "As a compendium of the cardinal events and accepted 
principles of constitutional history it may be cordially recommended to those 
who are beginning the study of a political system." 

THE BOSTON COURIER.— "The book is a very valuable manual for young 
people. The manner ia clear and simple, and the outlines are cleai and accurate.'' 



CHARLES SCRIBNERS SONS' 



EPOCHS OF HISTORY. 

CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, President of Cornell University.--" Pl Series 
of concise and carefully prepared volumes on special eras of history. Each la 
devoted to a group of events of such importance as to entitle it to be regarded as 
an epoch. Each is also complete in itself, and has no especial connection with 
the other members of the series. The works are all written by authors selected 
by the editor on account of some especial qualifications for a portrayal of the 
period they respectively describe. The volumes form an excellent collection, 
especially adapted to the wants of a general reader." 

NOAH PORTER, Pre^dcnt of Tale College.— "The ' Epochs of History ' seem 
to me to have been prepared with knowledge and artistic skill to meet the wants 
of a large number of readers. To the young they furnish an outline or compen- 
dium which may serve as an introduction to more extended study. To those 
who arc older they present a convenient sketch of the heads of the knowledge 
which they have already acquired. The outUnes are by no means destitute of 
spirit, and may be used with great profit for family reading, and in select classes 
or reading clubs." 

BISHOP JOHN F HURST, Ex-Prestdent of Drew TTwological Semirmry.— 
"It appears to me that the idea of Morris in his Epochs is strictly in harmony 
with the philosophy of history-namely. that great movements should be treated 
not according to narrow geographical and national Umits and distmction. but 
universally, according to their place hi the general life of the world. The histor- 
ical Maps and the copious Indices are welcome additions to the volumes." 

THE NATION.—" The volumes contain the ripe results of the studies of men 
Who are authorities in their respective fields." 

EPOCHS OF ANCIENT HISTORY. A series of books narrating 
the History of Greece and Rome, and of tlielr relations to 
other countries at successive epochs. Edited by Rev. C. W. 
COX, and CHARLES SANKEY, M.A. Eleven volumes, 
16mo, with 41 Maps and Plans. Sold separately. Price per 
vol., $1.00. The set, Roxburgh style, gilt top, in box, $11.00. 

TEOT-ITS LEGEND, HISTORY, AND LITER/VTURE. By S. G. W. Benjamin. 

THE GREEKS AND THE PERSIANS. By G. W. Cox. 

THE ATHENIAN EMPIRE. By G. W. Cox. 

THE SPARTAN AND THEBAN SUPREMACIES. By Chakles Sakkey. 

THE MACEDONIAN EMPIRE. By A. M. Cubteis. 

EARLY ROME. By W. Ihne. 

ROME AND CARTHAGE. The Punic Wars. By R. Bosworth SmOTL 

THE GRACCHI, MARIUS AND SULLA. By A. H. Beesley. 

THE ROMAN TRIUMVIRATES. By Chakles Mebivale. 

•THE EARLY EMPIPvE. By W. V/Olfe Capes. 

THE AGE OF THE ANTONINES. By W. Wolfe Capes. 



STANDARD TEXT BOOKS. 



EPOCHS OF MODERN HISTORY. A series of books narrating 
the History of England and Europe at successive epochs 
subsequent to the Christian era. Edited by EDWARD E. 
MORRIS. Seventeen volumes, 16mo, with 74 Maps, Plans, 
and Tables. Sold separately. Price per vol., $1.00. The 
set, Roxburgh style, gilt top, in box, $17.00. 

THE BEGESTNING OF THE MIDDLE AGES. By R- W. Chtjbch. 

THE NOEMANS IN EUROPE. By A. H. Johnson. 

THE CRUSADES. By G. W. Cox, M.A. 

THE EARLY PLANTAGENETS. By Wm. Stubbs. 

EDWARD m. By W. Warburton. 

THE HOUSES OP LANCASTER AND YORK. By James Gaikbner. 

THE ERA OF THE PROTESTANT REVOLUTION. By Frederic Seebohm. 
Witli Notes on Books In Engllsli relating to the Reformation. By ProL 
George P. Fisher, D.D. 

THE EARLY TUDORS. Henry VH.; Henry VIH. By C. E. Moberly, 

THE AGE OF ELIZABETH. By M. Creighton. 

THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR, 161S-1643. By Samuel Eawson Gardineb. 

THE PURITAN REVOLUTION. By Samuel Rawson Gardiner. 

THE FALL OF THE STUARTS. By Edward Hale. 

THE AGE OF ANNE. By Edward E. Morris. 

THE EARLY HANOVERIANS. By Edward E. Morris. 

FREDERICK THE GREAT. By F. W. Longman. 

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND FIRST EMPIRE. By William O'Connor 
Morris. With Appendix by Andrew D. White, LL.D. 

THE EPOCH OF REFORM, 1830-1850. By Justin McCarthy. 

THE HISTORY OF ROME, from the Earliest Time to the Period 
of Its Decline. By Dr. THEODOR MOMMSEN. TransJated, 
with the author's sanction and additions, by W. P, Dicl<son, 
D.D., LL.D. With an Introduction by Dr. Leonhard Schmitz* 
Reprinted from the Revised London Edition. Four volumes 
crown 8vo, gilt top. Price per set, $8,00. 

LONDON TIMES.— "A work of the veiy Mghest merit; its learning is exact 
and profound ; its narrative lull of genius and skill ; its descriptions of men are 
admirably vivid. We wisli to place on record our opinion that Dr. Mommsen's is 
by far the best history of the Decline and Fall of the Roman C/ommon wealth." 

DR. SCHWIITZ.— "Since the days of Niebuhr, no work on Roman History has 
appeared that combines so much to attract, instruct, and charm the reader. Its 
style— a rare quality in a German author— is vigorous, spirited, and animated 
Professor Mommsen's work can stand a comparison with the noblest productiona 
»1 modem history." 



CHARLES SCmnNER'S SONS* 



AN ADDITION TO THEODOR MOMMSEN'S ITTSTORY OF ROME. 

THE PROVINCES OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. From Caesar to 
Diocletian. By THEODOR MOMMSEN. Translated with 
the author's sanction and additions, by William P. Dickson, 
D.D., LL.D. With ten maps, by Professor Kiepert. 2 vols., 
8vo, S6.00. 

Contents: The Northern Frontier of Italy— Spain— The Gallic 
Provinces — Roman Germany and the Free Germans — Britain — The 
Danubian Lands and the Wars on the Danube — Greek Europe — Asia 
Minor — The Euphrates Frontier and the Parthians — Syria and the 
Land of the Nabateeans — Judea and the Jews — Egypt — The African 
Provinces. 

K. Y. SUN. — " Professor Mommsen's work goes fartlier ;tlian any other ex- 
tant, or now looked for, to provide us with, a key to the mediaeval history of the 
Mediterranean world." 

PROF. W. A. PACKARD, in PresTyyterian Review.— "The author draws the 
wonderfully rich and varied picture of the conquest and administration of that 
great circle of peoples and lands which formed the empire of Eome outside of 
Italy, their agriculture, trade, and manufactures, their artistic and scientific Ufe, 
through all degrees of civilization, with such detail and completeness as could 
have come from no other hand thaa that of this great master of historical research 
in all its departments, guided by that gift of historical imagination, for which he 
is equally eminent." 

THE HISTORY OF GREECE. By Prof. Dr. ERNST CURTIUS. 
Translated by Adolphus William Ward, M. A., Fellow of St. 
Peter's College, Cambridge, Prof, of History in Owen's Col- 
lege, Manchester. Uniform with Mommsen's History of 
Rome. Five volumes, crown 8vo, gilt top. Price per set, 
$10.00. 

LONDON ATHEN/EUM.— "Professor Curtius' eminent scholarship is a sufH° 
cient guarantee for the trustworthiness of his history, while tho skill with which 
he groups his facts, and his effective mode of narrating them, combine to render 
it no less readable than sound. Prof. Curtius everywhere maintains the true 
tignity and impartiality of history, and it is evident his sympathies are on the 
|ide of justice, humanity, and progress," 

LONDON SPECTATOR.— "We cannot express our opinion of Dr. Curtius' 
book better than by saying that it may be fitly ranked with Theodor Mommsen's 
great work." 

N. Y. DAILY TRIBUNE.— "As an introduction to the Study of Grecian history, 
ho previous work is comparable to the present for vivacity and picturesque 
beauty, while in sound learning and accuracy of statement it is not inferior to 
the elaborate productions which enrich the Uterature of the age." 



CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES AND 
HOMILETICS. 



THE GROUNDS OF THEISTIC AND CHRISTIAN BELIEF. By 
Prof. GEORGE P. FISHER, D.D., LL.D., Professor of 
Ecclesiastical History in Yale College. Crown 8vo, $2.50. 

FROM THE PREFACE.—" This volume embraces a discussion of the evidence^ 
of both natural and revealed religion. Prominence is given to topics having 
special interest at present from their connection with modern theories and difll- 
cultles. The argument of design, and the bearing of evolutionary doctrines 
on Its validity, are fully considered. I have sought to direct the reader into lines 
of reflection which may serve to impress him with the truth contained in the 
remark that the strongest proof of Christianity is afforded by Christianity itself, 
and by Christendom as an existing fact. I venture to indulge the hope that they 
may derive from it some aid in clearing up perplexities, and some new light upon 
the nature of the Christian faith and its relation to the Scriptures." 

JULIUS H. SEELYE, President of Amherst College.— " 1 Gna it as I should ex- 
pect it to be, wise and candid, and convincing to an honest mind. I congratulate 
you upon its publication, in which you seem to me to have rendered a high 
pubUc service." 

PROF. JAMES O. MURRAY, Of Princeton CoZ^pge.—" The volume meets here 
a great want, and meets it well. It is eminently fitted to meet the honest doubts 
of some of our best young men. Its fairness and candor, its learning and ability 
In argument, its thorough handUng of modern objections— all these qualities fit it 
for such a service, and a great service it is." 

ESSAYS ON THE SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN OF CHRISTIAN- 
ITY. By Prof. GEORGE P. FISHER, D.D., LL.D., Professor 
of Ecclesiastical History in Yale College. 8vo, new and 
enlarged edition, $2.50. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW.— "Able and scholarly essays on the Super- 
natural Origin of Christianity, in which Prof. Fisher discusses such subjects as 
the genuineness of the Gospel of John, Baur's view of early Christian History and 
Literature, and the mythical theory of Strauss." 

THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE.— "His volume evinces rare versatility of intellect, 
with a scholarship no less sound and judicious in its tone and extensive in its 
attainments than it is modest in its pretensions." 

THE BRITISH QUARTERLY REVIEW.-" We know not Where the Student wiD 
find a more satisfactory guide in relation to the great questions which have grown 
up between the friends of the Christian revelation and the most able of its assail' 
smts, within the memory of the present generation." 



CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS' 



THE PHILOSOPHIC BASIS OF THEISM. An Examination of the 
Personality of Man, to Ascertain his Capacity to Know and 
Serve God, and the Validity of the Principle Underlyingthc 
Defense of Theism. By SAMUEL HARRIS, D.D., LL.D., Pro- 
fessor of Systematic Theology in Yale College. 8vo, $3.50. 

Dr. Harris embodies in ids work the results of his long meditation 
on the highest themes, and his long discussion and presentation of 
these truths in the class-room. His fundamental positions are thor- 
oughly in harmony with soundest modem thought and most trust- 
worthy modem knowledge. 

THE INDEPENDENT.— "It Is rare that a work, wliicli is of necessity, bo 
eeverely metaphysical In both topics and treatment, is so enlivened by the 
varied contributions of a widely cultivated mind from a liberal course of 
reading. His passionate and candid argument cannot fail to command the 
respect of any antagonist of the Atheistic or Agnostic schools, who will take 
the pains to read his criticisms or to review his argument. In respect to coolness 
and dignity and self-possession, his work Is an excellent model for scientists, 
metaphysicians, and theologians of every complexion." 

THE HARTFORD COUR A NT.— "Professor Harris' horizon-lines are uncon- 
tracted. His survey of the entire realm he traverses is accurate, patient, and 
considerate. No objections are evaded. No conclusions are reached by saltatory 
movements. The utmost fairness and candor characterize his discussions. No 
more thoroughly scientific work in plan or method or spirit has been done in our 
time. On almost every page one meets with evidences of a wide and reflec- 
tive reading, not only of philosophy, but of poetry and fiction as well, whicn 
enriches and illumines the whole course of thought." 

THE SELF-REVELATION OF COD. By SAMUEL HARRIS, 
D.D., LL.D., Professor of Systematic Theology in Yale Col- 
lege. 8vo, $3.50. 

In this volume Dr. Harris presents a statement of the evidence of 
the existence of God, and of the reality of His revelation of Himself 
in the experience or consciousness of men, and the verification of the 
same by His further revelation of Himself in the constitution and 
ongoing of the universe, and in Christ. 

PROF. WM. G. T. SHEDD, D.D., in TTie Presbyterian Review .—" Snch a 
work is not brought out in a day, but is the growth of years of professional study 
and reflection. Few books on apologetics have been recently produced that will 
be more influential and formative upon the mind of the theological or philosophi- 
cal student, or more useful. It is calculated to influence opinions, and to influence 
them truthfully, seriously, and strongly." 

BISHOP HURST, in T?ie Northwestern Christian Advocate.— "We do not Imovr 
a better work among recent publications than this one for building up old hopes 
and giving a new strength to one's faith. The book is thoroughly evangelic, 
fresh, and well wrought out. It is a valuable contribution to our American 
theology." 



STANDARD TEXT BOOKS. 



THE THEORY OF PREACHING; or, Lectures on Homiletics. 
By Professor AUSTIN PHELPS. 8vo, $2.50. 

This work is the growth of more than thirty years' practical ex- 
perience in teaching. The writings of a master of style, of broad and 
catholic mind are always fascinating ; in the present case the wealth 
of appropriate and pointed illustration renders this doubly the case. 

THE NEW YORK CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.— " Ministers of aU (Jenominati Dns 
and of all degrees of experience will rejoice in it as a veritable mine of wisdom." 

THE INDEPENDENT.—" The volume is to te commended to young men as a 
Buperb example of the art in which It aims to instruct them." 

THE WATCHMAN.— "The reading of it is a mental tonic. The preacher 
cannot but feel often his heart burning within him under its influence. We could 
wish it might be in the hands of every theological student and of every pastor." 

MEN AND BOOKS; OR, STUDIES IN HOMILETICS. Lectures 
Introductory to the "Theory of Preaching." By Professor 
AUSTIN PHELPS, D.D. Crown 8vo, $2.00. 

Professor Phelps' second volume of lectures is devoted to a dis- 
cussion of the sources of culture and power in the profession of the 
pulpit, its power to absorb and appropriate to its own uses the world 
'of real life in the present, and the world of the past, as it lives in 
books. 

PROFESSOR GEORGE P. FISHER.— "It is a live book, animated as well a3 
sound and instructive, in which conventionalities are brushed aside, and the 
author goes straight to the marrow of the subject. No minister can read it 
without being waked up to a higher conception of the possibiUties of his calling." 
BOSTON WATCHMAN. — " We are sure that no minister or candidate for the 
ministry can read it without profit. It is a tonic for one's mind to read a book so 
laden with thought and suggestion, and wi'itten in a style so fresh, strong, and 
bracing." 

A TRZATISE ON HOMILETICS AND PASTORAL THEOLOGY, 
By W. G. T. SHEDD, D.D. Crown 8vo, $2.50. 

In this work, treating of the main points of Homiletics and Pastoral 
Theology, the author handles his subject in a masterly manner, and 
displays much original and highly suggestive thought. The Homileti- 
cal part is especially valuable to ministers aud those in training for the 
ministry. Dr. Shedd's style is a model of purity, simplicity and 
strength. 

THE NEW YORK EVANGELIST.—" We cannot but regard it as, on the whole, 

the very best production of the kind with which we are acquainted. The topics 
discussed are of the first importance to every minister of Christ engaged in active 
service, and their discussion is conducted by earnestness as well as ability, and In 
a style which for clear, vigorous, and unexceptionable English, is itself a model." 
THE CHRISTIAN INTELLIGENCER.— " The ablest book on the subject whiclj 
the generation has produced," 



MENTAL AND MORAL SCIENCE. 



AN OUTLINE STUDY OF MAN; or, the Body and Mind in On« 
System. With illustrative diagrams. Revised edition. By 
MARK HOPKINS, D.D., LL.D., late President of Williams 
College. 12mo, $1.75. 

This is a model of the developing method as applied to intellectual 
science. The work is on an entirely new plan. It presents man in 
his unity, and his several faculties and their relations are so presented 
to the eye in illustrative diagrams as lo be readily apprehended. 
The work has come into very general use in this country as a man- 
ual for instruction, and the demand for it is increasing every year. 

GENERAL S. C. ARMSTRONG, PrinciDal of Hampton Institute.— '• I am. 
glad of the opportunity to express my liigli appreciation of Dr. Hopkins' Outline 
Study of Man. It lias done more for me personally tlian any book besides the 
Bible, More than any other it teaches the greatest of lessons, Tcnow thyself. For 
over ten years, I have made it a text book in the Senior Class of this school. It 
is, I think, the greatest and most useful of the books of the greatest of our Am- 
erican educators, Eev. Dr. Hopkins, and is destined to do a great work in forming 
not only the ideas but the character of youth in America and in other parts of the 
world." 

PROF. ADDISON BALLARD, of Lafayette College.— "I have for years used 
Dr. Hopkins' Outline Study of Man, in connection with his Law of L<yoe, as a text 
book for our Senior Classes. I have done this with unfailing success and with 
increasing satisfaction. It is of incalculable advantage to the student to come 
under the influence, through his books, of this great master of thought and of style. 
I cannot speak of Outline Stv^y in terms of too hearty conunendatlon." 

THE LAW OF LOVE, AND LOVE AS A LAW; v^, Christian 
Ethics. By MARK HOPKINS, D.D., LL.D., late President 
of Williams College. 12mo, S1.75. 

This work is designed to follow the author's Outline Study of Man. 
As its title indicates it is entirely an exposition of the cardinal precept 
of Christian philosophy in harmony with nature and on the basis of 
reason. Like the treatise on mental philosophy it is adapted with 
uniisual skill to educational uses. 

It appears in a new edition, which has been in part re-written in 
order to bring it into closer relation to his Outline Study of Man, of 
which work it is really a continaation. More prominence has been 
given to the idea of Rights, but the fundamental doctrines of the 
treatise have not been changed. 



CHARLES SCBIBNERS SONS' 



PSYCHOLOGY. By JAMES McCOSH, D.D., LL.D., President 

of Princeton College. I.— The Cognitive Powers. II.— The 

Motive Powers. 2 vols., 12mo. Sold separately. Each, 

$1.50. 

The first volume contains an analysis of the operations of the senses, 
and of their relation to the intellectual processes, with a discussion 
of sense perception, from the physiological side, accompanied by ap- 
propriate cuts. A third of the book is devoted to the Reproductive 
or Representative Powers, including such subjects as the association 
of ideas, the power of composition, etc. , concluding with a discussion 
of the Comparative Powers. The second volume treats of the Motive 
Powers, as they are called, the Orective, the Appetent, the Impulsive 
Powers ; including the Conscience, Emotions, and Will. 

PROFESSOR yyiLLlAM DE W. HYDE, of Bowdoin College.— " The book is 
written in a clear and simple style ; it breathes a sweet and winning spirit ; and 
It is inspired by a noble purpose. In tliese respects it is a model of what a text 
book should be." 

S. L, CALDWELL, late PresiOent of Vassar College.— " 1 have read the book 
with much interest. It is what was to have been expected from the ability and 
long experience of the author. The style is clear and simple ; the matter is well 
distributed ; it well covers the ground usually taught in such text books, and I 
am sure any teacher would find it a helpful guide in his classes." 

ELEMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY. By 
GEORGE T. LADD, D.D., Professor of Mental and Moral 
Philosophy in Yale University. With numerous illustrations. 
8vo, $4.50. 

Professor Ladd's "Physiological Psychology^' is the first treatise 
that has at^jcmpt-cd to present to English readers a discussion of the 
whole subject bronf^lit down to the most recent times. It includes the 
latest discoveries, and hy numerous and excellent illustrations and 
tables, brinj'.'s before the reader in a compact and yet lucid form the 
entire subject. 

The work has three principal divisions, of which, the first consists 
of a description of the structure and functions of the Nervous System 
considered simply as a mechanism. The second part describes the 
various classes of correlations which exist between the phenomena of 
the nervous mechanism and mental phenomena, with the laws of these 
various classes. The third part presents such conclusions as may be 
legitimately gathered or inferred conceiJ»i""a: the nature of the human 
mind. 

PROF. WILLIAM JAMES in The Nation. — ^s erudition, and his broad- 
Fiindedness are on a par with each other ; and his volume wiU probably for many 
years to come be the standard work of reference on the subject." 

THE SChOOL JOURNAL.— "It is impossible in a brief notice to give any 
adequate conception of the scientific character and practical application of thia 
admirable volume. In its class it stands alone among Americpn books. No 
thorough student of psychology will rest satisfied until he owns a copy of this work.** 



STANDARD TEXT BOOKS. 



FINAL CAUSES. By PAUL JANET, Member of the French 
Academy. With a Preface by Robert Flint, D.D., LL.D. 
From second French edition. 8vo, $2.50, 

PROF. FRANCIS L. PATTON, Of Pri7iceton TTueological Seminary,—"! re- 
gard Janet's ' Final Causes ' as incomparably the best thing in literature on the 
subject of which It treats, ana that it ought to be in the hands of every man who 
has any interest in the present phases of the thelstlc problem. I have recom- 
mended It to my classes in the seminary, and make constant use cf it in my in- 
Btructions." 

NOAH PORTER, D.D., LL.D., late President of Yale College.^ •" I am delighted 
that you have pubUshed Janet's ' Final Causes ' in an improved form and at a 
price which brings it within the reach of many who desire to pcKsess it. It is, in 
my opinion, the most suggestive treatise on this important topic which is access- 
ible in our language." 

THE HUMAN INTELLECT. By NOAH PORTER, D.D.. LL.D., 

late President of Yale CoIIegei With an Introduction upon 
Psychology and the Human Soul. 8vo, S5.00. 

The author has not only designed to furnish a text book which shall 
be suflEiciently comprehensive and scientiSc to satisfy the wants of the 
many students of psychology and speculative philosophy who are found 
in our higher institutions of learning, but also to prepare a volume 
which may guide the advanced student to a clear understanding and a 
just estimate of the questions which have perpetually appeared and 
reappeared in the history of philosophy. 

THE BRITISH QUARTERLY REVIEW.— "President Porter's work, the result 
of thirty years' professional labor, is not only the most important philosophical 
work that has appeared in our language since Sir William Hamilton's, but its 
form as a manual makes it invaluable to students." 

THE PRINCETON REVIEW.— "After a careful examination of this truly great 
work, we are ready to pronounce it the most complete and exhaustive exhibition 
of the cognitive faculties of the human soul to be found in our language, and, so 
Jar as we know, in any language. The work is a monument of the author's in- 
Eight, industry, learning, and judgment ; one of the great productions of our 
time ; an honor to our country, and a fresh proof that genuine philosophy has not 
died out among us." 

ELEMENTS OF INTELLECTUAL SCIENCE. A ManuaJ for 
Schools and Colleges. By NOAH PORTER, D.D., LL.D., 
late President of Yale College. Ovo, $3.00. 

This is an abridgment of the ar.thor's " Human Intellect," contain- 
ing all the matter necessary for use in the class-room, and has been in- 
troduced as a text-book in Yale, Dartmouth, Bowdoin, Oberlin, Bates, 
Hamilton, Vassar, and Smith Colleges ; Wesleyan, Ohio, Lehigh, and 
Wooster Universities, and many other colleges, academies, normal and 
high schools. 

THE NEW YORK WORLD.— "The abridgment is very well done, the state- 
ments being terse and perspicuous." 

THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE.— " Presents the leading facts of intellectual 
iclence from the author's point of view, with clearness and vigor." 



CHARLES SGRIBNEES SONS* 



ELEMENTS OF MORAL SCIENCE, Theoretical and Practical. 

By NOAH PORTER, D.D., LL.D., late President of Yale 

College. 8vo, $3.00. 
This treatise is intended primarily for the Uvse of college and uni- 
versity students, and is prepared with reference to the class-room. It 
is in two parts : the first treats with great fullness " I'he I'heory of 
Ditty ^''^ and unfolds comprehensively the psychology of the moral 
powers and the nature of the moral relations. The second division, 
" Tlie Practice of Duty or Ethics,^' takes up the different classes of 
duties with a view to the practical application of the principles of 
moral science to the questions arising in every department of human 
activity. In every respect President Porter's work is abreast of the 
time, and leaves no controverted point undefended. 

GEORGE S. MOR?(\S, Professor of Etnics, Universitrj of Michigan — "I have 
read the work with great interest, and parts of it with enthusiasm. It is a vast 
improvement on any cf the current text books of ethics. It is tolerant and 
catholic in tone ; not supcrflcially, but soundly, inductive in method and ten- 
dency, and rich in practical suggestion." 

E. G. ROBINSON, President Brown rmuer^'i;?/.— " It has all the distinguish- 
ing marks of the author's work on ' The Human Intellect,' is full and comprehen- 
sive in its treatment, dealing largely with current discussions, and very naturally 
follows it as a text book for the class-room." 

JULIUS H. SEELYE, President Amherst College. — "It is copious and clear, 
with ample scholarship and remarkable insight, and I am sure that all teachers 
of Moral Science will find it a valuable aid in their instructions." 

OUTLINES OF MORAL SCIENCE. By ARCHIBALD ALEX- 
ANDER, D.D., LL.D. 12mo, $1.50. 

This book is elementary in its character, and is marked by great 
clearness and simplicity of style. It is intended to lay the foundations 
and elucidate the principles of the Philosophy of Morals. It is widely 
used in colleges and other institutions of learning, and is specially 
adapted for students whose age, or the time at whose disposal, doea 
not permit the use of the more extended and abstruse works on ethics. 

THE THEORY OF MORALS. By PAUL JANET, Member of the 

French Academy. Translated under the supervision of 

President Noah Porter. 8vOi $2,50. 

Prof. Janet in this book gives us not only a clear and concise exam- 
ination of the whole study of moral science, but he has introduced into 
the discussion many elements which have hitherto been too much 
neglected. The first principles of moral science and the fundamental 
idea of morals the author describes with much precision, and presents 
an interesting and systematic exposition of them. 

SCIENCE.—" The book has lucidity and is full of learning. It is hardly extrav- 
agant to say that so clear and picturesque a treatise, in the hands of an alert 
teacher, might save the study of ethics from its almost inevitable fate of being 
Very dull." 



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